-CAUFO  Of-CALI 


F-CAll 


;Uft'ARUUJ^         x*V> 


:OF-CAll 


MOTHER  TRUTH'S 

MELODIES. 

COMMON  SENSE  FOR  CHILDREN. 


A  KINDERGARTEN, 

-BY- 
MRS.  E.  P.  MILLER, 

AUTHOR  OF  "A  FATHER'S  ADVICE;  A  BOOK  FOR  EVERY  BOY."  AND  A 
"MOTHER'S  ADVICE;  A  BOOK  FOR  EVERY  GIRL." 


450  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


NEW  AND  ENLARGED  EDITION. 


CHICAGO: 

CRAM  STANDARD  BOOK  CO., 

BOSTON,   MASS.,  J.  Q.  ADAMS  &  Co 

1896. 


COPYKIGHTED  1887,  BY 
STANDARD  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

COPYRIGHTED  BY 

STANDARD  COLUMBIAN  COMPANY, 

1891.  1892. 

COPYRIGHTED  BY 
CRAM  STANDARD  BOOK  COMPANY 


COPYRIGHTED  BY 
GEORGE  F.  CRAM, 


TZ6.3 


To  all  who  love  the  Children, 

This  book,  INSCRIBED,  I  bring,-  . 
Thus  reaching  forth  to  draw  you 

Within  my  charmed  ring, 
Where  seeds  and  germs  we'll  nurture 

In  babies,  children,  youth, 
Till  every  plant  shall  blossom, 

And  bear  the  fruits  of  TRUTH. 


669287 


INTRODUCTION. 

SINCE  little  ones  are  geese  no  more, 

But  knowing  have  become, 
It  ill  beseems  that  "  Mother  Goose" 

Should  dwell  in  every  home. 
So  "  Mother  Truth"  in  "  Melodies" 

For  Babes,  here  lifts  her  voice, 
Assured  that  parents,  children,  all, 

Will  welcome  and  rejoice. 


NOTE. 


ET  no  one  suppose  that  the  Author  of  these 
"  Melodies"  considers  them  poetry.     They  are 
simply   rhymes,  the  jingle  of   which   may  be 
music  in  the  children's  ears,  and  the 
illustrations  a  delight  to  eager   eyes. 
The  Truths  presented,  even  if  not  fully 
understood  at  first,  will  leave  their  im« 
press,  and  in  so  far  as  they  fill  the 
little  minds,  will  keep  out  falsehood  and  false  ideas. 

The  putting  of  facts  in  such  form  as  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  the  little  ones,  and  be  readily  fixed  in  their  memory, 
was  first  suggested  to  the  writer  of  these  rhymes  by  a  valued 
friend,  the  well  known  philanthropist,  MRS.  ELIZABETH 
THOMPSON,  and  her  interest  in  the  "  Melodies"  is  such  that 
she  has  generously  assisted  in  procuring  illustrations  for  the 
same. 

Thus  "Mother  Truth's  Melodies"  are  introduced  with 
the  hope  that  this  effort  to  entertain  children  with  rhyming 
reason  will  meet  with  the  approval  of  every  lover  of  the 
young,  and  of  Truth. 


*  Note. 

Poetry  is  the  language  of  the  imagination,  while  "facts 
are  stubborn  things,"  and,  in  the  mass,  refuse  utterly  to  be 
poetized.  Yet,  even  facts  may  be  presented  pleasingly  and 
melodiously,  and  in  such  way  that  they  will  be  easily  im- 
pressed upon  the  minds  of  children.  This  the  author  of 
"  Mother  Truth's  Melodies"  sought  to  do,  when  the  little 
book  was  first  given  to  the  public. 

Mow,  however,  in  the  revising  and  enlarging  of  the  book, 
she  has  given  wider  play  to  the  imagination,  has  enlarged 
the  range  of  subjects,  has  embodied  lessons  for  children  of 
older  growth,  and  feels  that  altogether,  it  will  meet  more 
fully  the  demands  which  its  already  large  sales  warrant  her 
in  believing  to  exist. 

She  can  ask  no  more  favorable  reception  than  was  first 
met;  but,  hoping  for  a  continuance  of  the  same,  she  trusts 
that  as  it  becomes  more  widely  distributed,  its  truths  and 
teachings  will  be  impressed  upon  household  after  household, 
till  throughout  the  land,  the  little  ones,  and  larger,  too,  shall 
be  influenced  thereby. 

MRS.  E.  P.  M. 


WHY  FLY  AWAY,  MOTHER  GOOSE,        .....  13 

Toss  THE  BABY,         ...'.....  14 

PAT-A-CAKE,  PAT-A-CAKE, 15 

HEY,  MY  KITTEN,  MY  KITTEN, 16 

WlNKUM,   WlNKUM,         ........  17 

BABY'S  BELL, 18 

WILLY-NILLY 19 

BABY'S  RECORD, 20 

SLEEP,  LITTLE  SWEETEY,     .......  22 

NEVER  TELL  A  FIB 23 

HUMPTY-DUMPTY, 24 

HUSH-A-BYE,      .........  26 

DON'T  MAKE  ME  LAUGH, 30 

BYE-BABY-BUNTING, 31 

To  BED  WITH  THE  CHICKENS,       ......  32 

DIVE  ME  SUDAR,        ....                  ...  33 

TAUSE  I'M  TROSS,          ...  34 

THE  NEW  BOOK 36 

WHISKUM,  WHISKUM,           .......  37 

THE  JACK-HORSE,     ......                  .  38 

HI-DIDDLE  DIDDLE,       ........  39 

THE  RAIN, 4° 

FEED  THE   BIRDIES,     ........  41 

ROCK-A-BYE, 42 

THE  SNOWBALL, 49 

LITTLE  BO-PEEP,      ........  5° 

THE  TEA  PARTY, 51 

TELL  IT  AGAIN,  MOTHER,        ......  52 

LITTLE  JACK   HORNER, 54 

LITTLE  BOY   BLUE, 55 

Miss  VELVET  PAWS,     ........  5^ 


16  Contents. 

PAGE. 

POLLY  HOPKINS ,  57 

A,B,  C,     . 58 

C-A-T  SPELLS  CAT, .46 

THE  KITTEN.,     .........  76 

DOLLY  DIMPLE, 70 

IF  You  PLEASE .  75 

THE  POOR  LITTLE  CHICK-A-DEES, 76 

HEIGH-HO,  DAISIES  AND  BUTTERCUPS,     ....  80 

THE  PONY, 81 

BABY'S  RECKONING,          .......  86 

Two  LITTLE  PINK  SHOES,                                        c         .        .  88 

BABY  PEARL,             ........  90 

MY  VALENTINE,            ....         .         .         .         .         .  91 

FEE-FI-FO-FUM, 92 

THE  OXEN,           .........  100 

THE  BROKEN  PITCHER,     .......  104 

THE  ELEPHANTS,           ........  105 

THE  WIND,  THE  FOG,  THE  RAIN,  THE  SNOW,     .         .         .  106 
TRUTH,          .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .no 

III  DIDDLE,    lio-DlDDLE,                     ......  112 

WHAT  is  THE  Axis,     ........  116 

HEAT  AND  COLD,       ........  119 

HARLEY'S  DREAM,        ........  120 

OUR  LANGUAGE   KEY,       .         .         .         .         .         .         .  123 

THE  SPEECH  FAMILY, 124 

NUMBER  AND  GENDER,      .......  126 

ONE  LITTLE  CHICKEN,          .         .         .         .         .    ' '  .         .  127 

LETTERS, 128 

WORDS,         .         .         .         .         ...         .         .         .         .  129 

A  SMILE,           .........  131 

TWINKLE,  TWINKLE,     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .132 

OLD  SOL  IN  A  JINGLE,      .......  134 

"ROBERT  OF  LINCOLN,"        .......  137 

LlMPY-DIMPY-DINGLE,           ....              ...  138 

CASTLE  WONDERFUL,           .         .                  .         .         .         .  140 

THE  RATTLE  OF  THE  BONES 148 


Contents.  i  I 


PACK. 

WHOLLY  HOLE-Y, 153 

THE  BREATH  o'  LIFE, 156 

THREE  LITTLE  GIRLS,          .......  157 

TEMPERANCE   CHILD,        .......  158 

LISTEN,  CHILDREN, 159 

TiCK-TOCK,  TlCK-TOCK, l6o 

CURIOUS  TREES;  THE  COW.TREE,  THE  SUGAR-PINE,  THE 
BUTTER-TREE,  THE  BREAD-FRUIT  TREE,  THE  CLOVE- 
TREE,  161 

THE  TREE  VILLAGE,        .......  166 

No  EYES, 168 

THE  MAMMOTH  CAVE, 170 

THE  CAMELS, 172 

KEY  NOTES,       .........  177 

THE  BEARS, .         .178 

THE   BEAR,  A  BLESSING,            ...'..  181 

FRUITS, 183 

THE  RACCOON, 184 

THE  BANK  SWALLOWS 190 

THE  MOCKING  BIRD,          .......  194 

THE  BUSY  BIES,            ........  196 

HONEY- SWEET, 205 

WHAT  THEY  SAY,          ........  208 

BRITAIN'S  RULERS,  .         .         .         .         .         .         .215 

OUR  LAND, 218 

SIGNS  OF  THE  ZODIAC,        .......  220 

GRAPHO, .         .         .223 

THE  STOP  FAMILY,             226 

LITTLE  MISCHIEF,        ........  229 

GRANDMA'S  CANARY,        .......  233 

BABY'S  FAITH,       .........  236 

THE  MEADOW  QUAILS,       .......  238 

THE  LITTLE  HOUSEWIFE, 240 

MOTHER-LOVE,          ........  242 

IT  SNOWS!    IT  SNOWS! 244 

AN  OLD  SAW, 247 


12  Contents. 

PAGE. 

THE   DANDELION  BLOSSOM, 248 

SUNSHINE, 250 

OUR  ETHEL, 250 

LITTLE  GIRL'S  LETTER  TO  GOD,     .....  254 

GRANDMA'S  LESSONS,            .......  258 

MY  LITTLE   FOUR  YEAR  OLD, 260 

HANDSOME  DICK,          ........  261 

BESSIE'S  KISSES,       ........  266 

THE  DINNER  POT, 267 

NANNY'S  PLAY,         ........  268 

NANNY'S  LESSON,         ........  272 

NANNY'S   RIDE,         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  276 

THE  RACE, 283 

OUR  KENNETH,         ........  284 

MY  TEN  YEAR'S  OLD 287 

DARE  TO  SAY  No,            ....*...  288 

ASK  MOTHER;  TELL  MOTHER,     ......  291 

DON'T  TELL  A  LIE,                     ...         .         .         .         .  29: 

LITTLE  MOSES,     .         .         . 29.) 

THE  CHILDREN'S  RAILROAD,     .         ...         .         .         .  298 

THE  PHCEBE'S  NEST  IN  THE  OLD  WELL  WHEEL,        .         .  304 

MABEL'S  SNOW-FEATHERS 306 

FOREST  TREES,  .         .  .         .         .         .         .310 

CHILDHOOD  FANCIES,        .         .         .         .         .         .         .  312 

LlZZIE  AND  THE  ANGELS,       .                         ....  317 

CHILD  MEMORIES,      ........  324 

NELLY  AND   NED,        .         .        .         .         .         .         .         .  326 

THE  CLAMBERERS,            ».*...         .                  .  329 

THE  NEW  WHITE  JATTET,         .         .        ...              .         .  330 

REMEMBER  THE  POOR,       .         .         .         .         .         .         .  331 

THE  LITTLE  STREET  SWEEPER.        -.         .         .         .         .  332 

THE  HERE,  THERE  AND  EVERYWHERE   FAMILY,        .         .  338 

QUIRKS, 345 

SOMEBODY'S  BOY,      .         ...         .         .         .         .         .  366 

THE  LADDIE- AND  LASSIE  BIRDS,         .....  348 

THE  GREAT  WATCH  FULL  1 352 


MOTHER  TRUTH'S  MELODIES, 


WHY  FLY  AW  A  F,  MOTHER  GOOSE  f 


"  MOTHER  GOOSE,  Mother 

Goose, 

Why  fly  away  ?  " 
"  Because  Mother  Truth  is 

A-coming  to-day. 
She'll  tell  you  funny  things, 

But  they'll  be  true  ; 
She'll  bring  you  pictures 
So  charming  and  new  ; 

She'll  sing  you  Melodies,  helping  to  show 
How,  to  true  women  and  men,  you  may  grow/' 


Toss  the  Baby. 


TOSS  THE  BABY. 

Toss  the  baby  high  in  air ; 
Catch  him  though,  with  special  care 
Lest  his  little  back  be  strained, 
Lest  his  little  joints  be  sprained, 
Lest  his  bones  be  bent  or  broken ; 


Lest    through    life    he 

bear  some  token 
Of    a  careless    toss  or 

fall, 
That  for  sympathy  shall 

call, 
~  And  that  must  forever 

be 
Painful  to  our  memory. 


Pat-a-cake,  Pat-a-cake. 


PAT-A-CAKE,  PAT-A-CAKE. 

PAT-A-CAKE,  pat-a-cake, 

Mamma's  boy, 
Laughing  and  crowing, 

And  jumping  with  joy  ; 
Roll  it,  and  pick  it  and  mark  it  with  B, 
And  toss  in  the  oven  for  Baby  and  me. 


Pat-a-cake,  pat-a-cake, 

Papa's  girl, 
Springing  in  baby-glee, 

Shaking  her  curl ; 

Roll  it  and  pick  it  and  mark  it  with  G, 
And  toss  in  the  oven  for  Girly  and  me. 


Hey,  My  Kitten,  My  Kitten. 


HEY,  MY  KITTEN,  MY  KITTEN. 

HEY,  my  kitten,  my  kitten, 
Hey,  my  kitten,  my  deary ; 

If  Mamma  should  feed  him  too 

often, 

He  never  could  be  so  cheery. 
Here  we  go  up,  up,  up. 

And  here  we  go 
down,  down, 
down-y. 

If  we  never  feed 
baby  too  much, 
He  never  will  give 
us  a  frown-y. 

Hey,  my  kitten,  my  kitten, 

Hey,  my  kitten,  my  deary ; 
We'll  put  him  to  bed  with  the  birdies, 

And  that  will  make  him  so  cheery ! 

Here  we  go  up,  up,  up, 
And  here  we  go  down,  down,  down-y ; 
If  we  give  him  nothing  but  smiles, 

He  will  give  us  never  a  frown-y. 


Winkum,   Winkum. 
WINKUM,   WINKUM. 


WINKUM,     i&jS     winkum,  shut  your  eye, 
Sweet,  my  ^  baby,  lullaby  ; 

For  the  dew  is  falling  soft, 
Lights  are  flickering  up  aloft, 
And  the  head-light  's  peeping  over 
Yonder  hill-top  capped  with  clover; 
Chickens  long  have  gone  to  rest, 
Birds  lie  snug  within  their  nest, 
And  my  birdie  soon  will  be 
Sleeping  with  the  chick-a-dee, 
For  with  only  half  a  try, 
Winkum,  winkum,  shuts  her  eye. 


i8 


Baby's  Bell. 


BABY'S  BELL. 


'INGLE !  jingle !  baby's  beil  ;— 
What  a  tale  its  tongue  might 

tell. 
Could  it  speak  it  sure  would 

say, 
(  When  the  baby's  tired  v-ith 

play, 

And  is  getting  cross,  don't  try 
To  jingle  bells,  but  hush-a-bye ; 
All  so  still,  now  crooning  low, 
Lull-a-bye,  bye-o,  bye-o, — 
Quiet  down  his  quaking  nerves, 
Soothe  him  as  his  state  deserves ; — 
Passing  hand  from  head  to  feet, 
Sl-o-w-l-y,  softly,  loving,  sweet, 
As  to  smooth  the  feathers  down, 
Rumpled,  from  your  birdling's  crown  ; — 


Willy-Nilly.  19 

See,  he  sleeps,  and  in  his  dream 
Yours  may  hand  of  angel  seem, 
Raveling  out  the  tangled  ills, 
Knitting  up  with  restful  thrills." 


WILLY-NILLY. 


WILLY-NILLY,  birdy  sings, 

For  he's  running  over 
With  the  music  that  he  flings 

To  his  sweet  bird-lover ; — 
Willy-nilly,  baby  laughs, 

Gay  and  glad  and  gleeful ; 
Brimming  over  high  with  health, 

She  is  always  playful. 


20 


Baby's  Record. 
BABY'S  RECORD. 


New-born  baby,  soft  and 

pink, 
Of  the  two  worlds  on  the 

brink. 

One  month  old, — eat  and 

sleep ; 
Precious    little    human 

heap. 

Two   months   old, — tear 

and  smile; 

}  Fists  in  mouth  and  eyes 
the  while. 

Three  months  old, — "goo- 

a-goo," 
Windows    wide    where 

soul  looks  through. 

Four  months  old, — finds 

his  toes, 
Tries  to  fix  them  on  his 

nose. 


Babys  Record.  21 

Five  months  old, — first  wee  pearl ; 
All  the  household  in  a  whirl. 

Six  months  old, — sits  alone  ; 
Wishes  swaddling  clothes  were  jone. 

Seven  months  old, — creep  and  crawl, 
Wonder-eyed,  a  charm  to  all. 

Eight  months  old, — confiscate 
Pussy's  tail  and  papa's  pate. 

Nine  months  old, — roguish  eyes 
Deepening  daily ;  willul,  wise. 

Ten  months  old, — witching  ways 
Wind  us  in  ;  the  baby  pays ! 

Eleven  months  old, — finger-tip 
Guides  the  elfin  on  his  trip. 

Year  old, — lots  of  mischief  done; 
Walking,  talking,  just  for  fun. 


22 


Sleep,  Little  Sweetey. 


SLEEP,  LITTLE  SWEETEY, 


LEEP  now,  my  sweetey, 
Dear  one,  arid  pretty ! 
Weary  with  playing, 
Weary  with  straying, 
Stop  little  thinkers, 
Shut  little  winkers ; 
Sleep,  little  sweetey, 
Precious  and  pretty. 


Sleep  now,  my  sweetey, 
Dear  One,  and  pretty ! 
Stop  little  thinkers, 
Shut  little  winkers, 
Angels  a-watching 
Sleep-doors  unlatching ; 
Slip  in,  my  sweetey, 
Precious  and  pretty ! 


Sleeping,  my  sweetey, 
Dear  one,  and  pretty  ! 
Stopped,  little  thinkers, 
Shut,  little  winkers, 
Angels  a-watching, 
Sleep-doors  are  latching; 
Slipped  in,  my  sweetey, 
Precious  and  pretty ! 


Never  Tell  a  Fib. 


NEVER  TELL  A  FIB. 


IF  mamma  says  she'll  punish, 

She  must  do  it,  or  she  tells 
A  fib,  as  Sister  Annie 

Told  "a  story"  'bout  the  bells; 
And  if  mamma  tells  a  fib, 

Then  surely  children  will, 
And  what  a  fearful  thing, 

Our  home  with  fibs  to  fill ! 


24  Humpty-Dumpty. 

HUMPTY-D  UMPTY. 


HUMPTY-DUMPTY,  hip-o'-to-hop, 
Baby  is  crying,  why  doesn't  he  stop  ? 
What  does  he  cry  for?  his  clothing  is  tight; 
No  wonder  such  things  make  baby  a  fright. 

Humpty-dumpty,  hip-o'-to-hop, 
Baby  was  crying,  but  now  he  will  stop ; 
What  did  he  cry  for?  his  clothing  was  wet; — • 
No  wonder  such  things  should  make  babies  fret. 

Humpty-dumpty,  hip-o'-to-hop, 
Baby  is  crying,  oh,  when  will  he  stop  ? 
What  does  he  cry  for  ?  his  feet  are  a-cold  ; — 
No  wonder  such  things  should  make  baby  scold- 


Humpty-Dumpty.  25 

Humpty-dumpty,  hip-o'-to-hop, 
Baby  is  crying,  but  soon  he  will  stop ; 
What  does  he  cry  for?  he  had  too  much  food ; — 
No  baby  in  this  way  can  ever  be  good. 

Humpty-dumpty,  hip-o'-to-hop, 
Baby  is  laughing  and  scarcely  will  stop ; 
What  does  he  laugh  for?  Oh,  when  he  feels  well, 
He  always  is  happy, — 'tis  thus  we  can  tell. 


h 


26  Hush-a-bye. 

HUSH-A-BYE. 

HUSH-A-BYE,  baby, 

On  Grandmother's  lap ; 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

And  take  a  nice  nap; 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 
.  What  is  it  you  say  ? 
Your  "  teeth  are  a-coming," 
You're  "  ten  months  to-day  ; ' 
Well,  babies  must  cry, 
And  Grandmothers  must  try 
To  comfort  and  hush  them,  but  never  forget 
The  little  gums  ache, 
And  little  nerves  quake, 
Till  little  lips  quiver,  and  babies  must  fret 

Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  cool  his  hot  gums, 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

With  tiny  ice-crumbs; 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  rub  hard  and  long 
With  icy-cold  finger, — 

See  him  list  to  my  song ! 


Hush-a-bye.  2? 

Ah,  babies  are  sweet 

If  their  wants  we  but  meet, 


So  why  should  we  blame  them  when  fretful  and  cross? 

Let  us  find  what  is  wrong, 

And  remove  it  ere  long, 
And  we'll  see  that  time  thus  spent  is  neve*  a  loss. 

Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

What  more  can  we  dor 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

That  will  comfort  you? 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  lay  you  down  flat, 
On  your  stomach,  dear  baby, 

On  Grandmother's  lap. 


28  Hush-a-bye. 

Nor  trot  you  a  mite, 

No  matter  how  slight, 
But,  sure  that  your  clothing  is  all  dry  and  neat, 

We'll  loosen  each  band, 

And  with  soft  and  warm  hand, 
Gently  rub  you  all  over  from  head  to  your  feet. 

Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

We  will  not  forget, 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

That  hands  may  be  wet, 


Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

And  soothe  you  sometimes, 
When  dry  hands  won't  do  it, 

Hush,  list  to  my  rhymes ! 


Hush-a-Bye.  29 

And  now  we'll  not  nurse 
Till  the  nursing's  a  curse ; 
Nor  dose  you,  nor  drug  you,  nor  feed  with 
sweet-meats ; 

Nor  to  soothe,  will  we  try, 
With  old  "Dame  Winslow"  by, 
For  our  hopes  for  the  babies,  she  ever  defeats. 

Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  quiet  his  nerves, 
Hush-a-bye,  baby, 

The  truth  it  deserves — 
Hush-a-bye,  baby — 

Even  here  to  be  known : 
We  will  quiet  his  nerves 

By  just  calming  our  own  ! 
And  our  baby  will  feel 
The  sweet  hush  o'er  him  steal, 
That  brings  with  it  soothing  and  comfort  and  rest ; 
And  to  slumber  so  soft, 
His  spirit  we'll  waft, 
And  then  lay  him  away  in  his  own  baby  nest. 


Dorit  Make  Me  Laugh. 
DON' T MAKE  ME  LA  UGH. 


DEAR  MAMMA,  I've  been  laughing 

For  Uncle  Ben  and  Pa, 
And  then  for  sister  Lizzie 

I  talked  "ar-g  o-o"  and  "gar ;" 
And  then  a  "little  story" 

For  Dick  and  Cousin  Jane, — 
And  now  you,  Mamma,  want  me 

To  laugh  and  talk  again. 

I'd  like  to  do  it,  Mamma,  but  if  I  even  try, 

I  am  so  weary  with  it,  I'm  sure  I'd  only  cry ! 

Don't  let  them  try,  dear  Mamma,    to  make  me  laugh 

and  crow, 
I'll  do  it  when  I'm  able,  for  babies  always  do. 


Bye-Baby-Bunting. 


BYE-BABY-BUNTING. 


BYE-BABY-BUNTING, 
The  Indians  live  by  hunting, 
And  bring  home  many  a  beaver-skin 
To  wrap  the  little  pappoose  in. 

And  mother-squa\v  the  baby'll  tie 
Fast  on  a  board,  and  swinging 

*  high, 

Will  hang  it  up  among  the  trees 
To    rock-a-bye    with 

every  breeze ; 
But    our    dear    baby> 

snug  and  warm, 
~-j.  Shall      rock-a-bye     on 
— ~-          mother's  arm. 


To  Bed  with  The  Chickens. 


TO  BED  WITH  THE  CHICKENS. 

I'M 


OH,  put  me  in  my  bed,  Mamma, 
When  chickens  go  to  rest, 

For  I'm  your  little  chick-a-dee, 
So  put  me  in  my  nest. 

Yes,  when  the  birds  forget  to  sing, 
And  lambs  forget  to  play, 

You'll  put  your  birdy  in  his  nest, 
Your  lamb  you'll  fold  away. 


Dive  Me  Sudar. 


33 


DIVE  ME  SUDAR. 


PAPA,  when  you  dive  me  tandy, 

Dive  me  only  white, — 
'Tause  there's  poison  in  the  tolored, 

Which  my  health  will  blight; 
But  you-better  dive  me  sudar, 

Let  the  tandy  be, — 
'Tause  I  shall  not  want  so  much, 

And  that  is  best  for  me. 


34  'Tause  Pm  Tross. 


MAMMA,  'tause  I'm  tross  don't  whip  me; 

I  tan't  help  it4  not  a  bit ! 
'Tis  the  tandy  hurts  my  stomat, 

And  that  mates  me  whine  and  fret. 
Sometimes,  too,  I'm  whipped  for  trossness 

When  the  trossness  tomes  from  meat ; 


'Tausc  /';«  Tross. 

Thint  how  tiders  drowl  and  drumble, 
And  then  dive  me  food  to  eat 


That  will  mate  me  well  and  happy,— 
Wheat  and  oat-meal,  rice  and  truit, 

These  will  mate  me  dood  and  gentle, 
'Stead  of  mating  me  a  brute. 


The  New  Book. 


THE  NEW  BOOK. 


COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO, 
A  picture-book  for  you, — 
Keep  it  nice,  and  in  a  trice 
Sing  Cock-a-doodle-doo. 


Whiskum,  Whiskum. 
WHISKUM,   WHISKUM. 


37 


WHISKUM,  whiskum,  over  the  house, 
Scud  the  cloudlets,  still  as  a  mouse ; 
Whiskum,  whiskum,  by-and-by 
They'll  pour  rain-drops  from  the  sky. 


The  Jack-Horse. 
THE  JACK-HORSE. 


WE  will  ride  our  Jack-horse 
All  the  meadows  across; 
Oh  no,  do  not  whip  him, 
But  feed  him,  my  dear! 
A  handful  of  grass 
In  his  mouth  as  we  pass, 
Will  make  him  trot  gaily, 
And  give  us  good  cheer ! 


Hi-diddle-diddle. 


39 


HI-DIDDLE-DIDDLE. 


Hl-DIDDLE-DIDDLE, 

Mother  duck's  in  the  middle, 
Her  baby-ducks  swimming  around  ; 
With  bills  like  a  ladle, 
And  feet  like  a  paddle, 
No  danger  that  they  will  be  drowned 


4o 


The  Rain. 


THE  RAIN. 


COME,  rain,  come, 
That  the  water  may  run, 
That  the  meadow  grass  may  grow ; 
That  the  fruit  and  grain 
O'er  hill  and  plain, 
May  greet  us  as  we  go. 


Come,  rain,  come, 

That  the  water  may  run, 
That  the  mill  may  make  our  meal  ;— 

'Twill  grind  our  wheat, 

And  corn  so  sweet, 
When  it  turns  the  old  mill-wheel. 


Feed  the  Birdies. 


FEED  THE  BIRDIES. 


FEED  the  birdies,  darling, 

When  the  snow  is  here, 
When  there  are  no  berries 

On  the  bushes,  dear; — 
Scatter  food  out  for  them, 

And  they'll  quickly  come, 
Hopping,  singing,  chirping 

"Thank  you  for  the  crumb. 


Rock-a-bye, 


ROCK-A-BYE. 

ROCK-A-BYE,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Don't  tremble  with  fear, 
For  that  tends  to  make 

His  slight  illness  severe. 


Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill. 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well  ;— 
Rock-a-bye,  baby. 

Don't  coax  him  to  nurse, 
For  urging  to  eat 

Only  makes  matters  worse. 


Rock-a-bye.  43 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

No  company  'round, 
Not  even  the  dear  ones, 

To  make  a  loud  sound. 


Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Don't  rattle  the  papers 
Nor  whisper  around, 

Little  nerves  cut  such  capers. 


44  Rock-a-bye. 


Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Whatever  is  wrong, 
Attend  to  his  bowels, 

Neglected  too  long, 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well  ;— 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

If  he  is  too  hot, 
Undress  him  and  bathe  him ; 

But,  ah  !  he  is  not. 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

There  is  cough  with  unrest, 
So  we'll  wring  out  hot  flannels, 

And  cover  his  chest, 


Rock-a-Bye.  4$ 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill; 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

He's  perspiring,  to  pour  ! 
We  will  keep  up  this  treatment 

A  full  hour  more. 


Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Now  dry  him  off  neat, 
And  wrap  him  up  warm, 

And  to-morrow,  repeat. 


Rock-a-Bye. 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

'Tis  not  in  his  chest  ? 
Then  place  the  hot  flannels 

Where  he  feels  the  unrest. 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill, 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

He  is  moaning  with  pain, 
And  rolling  his  head, 

And  we  pet  him  in  vain. 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill ; 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We  will  wring  out  from  ice, 
Linen  cloths  for  his  head, 

All  so  cooling  and  nice. 


Rock-a-Bye*  47 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill ; 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

If  cold  don't  relieve, 
Use  hot  and  then  cold, 

And  then  hot,  you  perceive. 


Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  is  ill; 
Rock-li-bye,  baby, 

We'll  soon  have  him  well ; — 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

We'll  see  that  his  feet 
Are  kept  warm  all  the  time, 

And  his  clothes  dry  and  neat. 


Rock-a-Bye. 

Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

Our  darling  was  ill 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

But  now  he  is  well; 
Rock-a-bye,  baby, 

No  drugs,  not  a  dose  ! 
Vet  he's  over  it  finely, 

Just  hear  how  he  crows 


The  Snowball. 


49 


HAVE  ever  you  seen  how  a  wee  bit  of  snow, 
TO  a  big  bouncing  ball,  just  by  rolling,  will  growf 
Tis  thus  our  wee  sins,  children,  let  to  roll  on, 
Will  grow  big,  bigger,  biggest,  till  Satan  has  won. 


Little  Bo-Peep. 


LITTLE  BO-PEEP. 


Co'  NAN,  co'  Nan,  says  little  Bo-peep, 
Co*  Nan,  co'  Nan,  up  come  the  sheep ; 
They  jump  the  ditch  and  scale  the  wall, 
Where  one  sheep  goes,  they  follow,  all. 

Co'  dea',  co'  dea',  says  little  Bo-peep, 
Co*  dea',  co'  dea',  I'll  shear  my  sheep  ; 
Their  wool  so  fine  will  make  my  coat, 
My  blankets  and  my  hose  to  boot. 


The  Tea-Party. 


THE  TEA-PARTY. 


Ah  !  little  ones,  I'm  sure  there's  not 
A  drop  of  tea  in  your  weeny  pot. 
For  water  bright  and  milk  so  pure, 
Alone  will  bring  you  health,  be  sure; 
And  health  is  beauty,  health  is  cheer, 
Health  is  happiness  so  dear. 


Tell  It  Again,  Mother. 


TELL  IT  AGAIN,  MOTHER. 


"  TELL  it  again,  Mother, 

Tell  it  again," — 
No  matter  what  story  she  told 

We  children,  would  cry, 

In  the  days  gone  by. 
Before  our  years  were  old. 

"  Tell  it  again,  Mother, 
Tell  it  again," — 

No  matter  how  weary  and  won. 
For  we  children  knew  naught 
Of  the  care  we  brought, 

Before  our  sense  was  born. 


Tell  It  Again,  Mother.  5  3 

"  Tell  it  again,  Mother, 

Tell  it  again," — 
And  she,  patient,  and  kind,  and  wise, 

The  tale  would  repeat, 

Or  the  song  so  sweet, 
And  'twas  ever  a  glad  surprise. 


"  Tell  it  again,  Mother, 

Tell  it  again,"— 
Ah !  you  children,  when  children  no  more, 

Will  go  back  to  the  days 

Of  sweet  babyhood  lays, 
And  Mother's  sage  sayings  con  o'er. 


54 


Little  Jack  Homer. 


LITTLE  JACK  HORNER. 


LITTLE  JACK  HORNER 

Sat  in  the  corner, 
Eating  a  morsel  of  nice  brown  bread ; 

"  Have  some  pie,  or  some  cake  ?  " 

"  Nay,  not  I,"  with  a  shake 
And  a  toss  of  his  wise  little  head. 

"  For  this  bread  will  make  bone, 

And  white  teeth  like  a  stone, 
That  will  neither  grow  soft  nor  decay  ; 

But  rich  cake  and  rich  pie 

Sure  will  break,  bye  and  bye, 
My  good  health,  and  that  never  will  pay." 


Little  Boy  Blue. 


55 


LITTLE  BOY  BLUE. 


ITTLE  Boy  Blue,  may  I  go  with 

you  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,  down   to  the  pasture  to 
drive  up  the  cow." 


"  Little  boy  blue,  what  then  may 
I  have  ?  " 

A  nice  cup  of  milk  as  ever 
cow  gave. 


"  Little  boy  blue,  the  milk  must  be  set ;  " 

"  Yes,  for  'tis  thus  the  nice  cream  we  shall  get." 

"  Little  boy  blue,  what  will  we  do  then  ?  " 
"  We'll    skim   it   and    dash   it,    with  'churn,  butter, 
churn.' " 

"  Little  boy  blue,  what  else  can  we  make  ?  " 
"  O,  cheese,  tempting  cheese,  and  the   dainty  cheese 
cake." 

"  Little  boy  blue,  is  there  anything  more  ?  " 

"  O,  yes,  puddings,  custards  and  dainties,  a  store." 

"  Little  boy  blue,  shall  we  eat  of  all  these  ?  " 

"  Simple  food  is  far  better  for  us,  if  you  please." 


56 


Miss   Velvet-Paw. 
MISS  VELVET-PAWS. 


LITTLE  Miss  Velvet-paws,  Look  out  for  velvet  paws, 
Raveling  out  her  yarn,      Do  not  trust  them  far, 
Catches  mice,  in  a  trice,     For  velvet  paws  cover  clawf 
In  everybody's  barn.          That  will  leave  a  scar. 


Polly  Hopkins. 
POLLY  HOPKINS. 


Now  little  Polly  Hopkins 
Must  surely  know  great  A, 
And  B,  and  C,  and  D,  and  E, 

F,  G,  H,  I,  J,  K; 
And  L,  and  M,  and  N,  and  O, 
And  P,  and  Q,  R,  S, 
And  T,  U,  V,  and  W,  X, 

And  Y,  &  Z,  I  guess. 


A,  £,  C. 

A,  B,  C. 


Stands  for 

Alligator, 


Stands  for  Ball, 


Stands  for  Cat  in  a 
cream-pot, 


Stands  for  Doll. 


A,  B,  C. 


Stands  for  East,  or 
Ellen. 


Stands  for  Fay, 


Stands  for  Goat,  a 
Pen  in, 


Stands  for  Hay, 


Stands  for  Indigestion, 


6o 


A,  B,  C. 


Stands  for  Jar, 


Stands  for  King,  or 
Keepsake, 


Stands  for  La, 


Stands  for  Man,  or 
Thousand, 


Stands  for  Nail, 


iooo 


Ssgg^ 

J 


A,  JB,  C. 


61 


Stands  for  Oaken 
bucket, 


Stands  for  Pail, 


Stands  for  Queen,  or 
Question. 


Stands  for  Rose, 


Stands  for   Christ- 
mas Stocking, 


62 


A,  B,  C. 


Stands  for  Toes, 


Stands  for  Urn,  or 
Ulster, 


Stands  for  Vane, 


Stands  for  West,  or 
Winter. 


A,  B,  C. 


Stands  for  Ten. 


Stands  for  Yoke, 
(with  Oxen). 


Stands  for  Zero. 


w  hen  you've  learned  your  LETTERS, 
You'll  be  a  Hero. 


C-A-T  Spells  Cat. 


C-A-T  SPELLS  CAT. 


C-A-T  spells  CAT, 
That  brought  the  kittens  here; 


D-O-G  spells  DOG, 
That  does,  the  puppies,  rear= 


C-O-W,  Cow, 

The  mother  of  the  calf ; 


O-X  spells  the  Ox, 
That's  bigger,  yes,  by  half. 


C-A-T  Spells  Cat. 

B-O-Y  spells  BOY, 
That's  little  brother  Lou  ; 


G-I-R-L,  GIRL, 

And  that  is  sister  Sue. 


B-I-R-D,  BIRD, 
Just  hear  canary  sing  ; 

G-O-L-D,  GOLD, 

That  makes  a  handsome  ring 


B-O-O-K,  BOOK, 

In  which  we  learn  to  read  ; 


C-O-O-K,  COOK, 

Supplies  the  food  we  need. 


66 


C-A-T  Spells  Cat. 

S-E-E-D,  SEED, 

From  which  we  raise  the 
plant ; 

S-I-N-G,  SING, 
Just    hear    the    children 
chant. 


B-A,  BA,  B-Y,  BY, 
And  that  spells  BABY, 
love; 


L-A,  LA,  D-Y,  DY, 

And  that  spells  LADY, 
dove. 

M-A,  MA,  R-Y,  RY, 

And    that    spells    MARY, 
child, 

E-D,  ED,  D-Y,  DY, 
That's   EDDY,  sweet  and 
mild. 


The  Kitten. 


THE  KITTEN. 


ONE,  two,  (i,"  2,) 

Here's  a  kitten  for  you  ; 

THREE,  four,  (3,  4,) 

She  will  open  the  door, 


FIVE,  six,  (5,  6,) 

And  your  cream  she  will  mix,- 


68 


The  Kitten. 


SEVEN,  eight,  (7,  8,) 

If  you  are  too  late, — 

NINE,  ten,  (9, 10,) 

To  cover  the  pan  \ 

ELEVEN,  twelve,  (11, 12,) 

And  then  you  must  delve,- 

THIRTEEN,  fourteen,  (is,  14,) 
To  cover  her  sporting  ; 


FIFTEEN,  Sixteen,  (15, 16,) 

But  while  you  are  fixing,- 


The  Kitten. 


SEVENTEEN,  eighteen,  (17,  18,) 
Remember  I'm  waiting,— 

NINETEEN,  twenty,  (19,  20,) 
For  butter  a  plenty. 


To  those  who  serve  you,  children,  all, 

Be  gentle  and  polite, — 
For  thus  are  gentle-women  known, 

Or  gentle-men,  at  sight. 


Dolly  Dimple. 
DOLLY  DIMPLE. 


DOLLY  DIMPLE,  just  for  fun, 
Stands  to  show  us  she  is  ONE. 


Dolly  and  her  sister  Sue 

Show  that  ONE  and  ONE  make  Two. 


Dolly  Dimple. 


Dolly,  Sue,  and  Nanny  Lee, 

Show  that  ONE  with  Two  make  THREE. 


Doll,  Sue,  Nan,  and  little  Noah, 

Show  that  ONE  with  THREE  make  FOUR 


Dolly  Dimple. 


Doll,  Sue,  Nan,  Noah,  and  Ben  Drive 
Show  that  ONE  with  FOUR  make  FIVE. 


Now  all  these  with  Jenny  Hicks 
Show  that  ONE  with  FIVE  make  Six. 


73 


One  more,  Ned,  a  baby,  even, 

Shows  that  ONE  with  Six  make  SEVEN. 


With  these  girls  and  boys,  put  Kate, 
And  the  ONE  with  SEVEN  make  EIGHT. 


Dolly  Dimple. 


All  these  eight,  with  Adaline 

Show  that  ONE  with  EIGHT  make  NINE. 


Now  with  these  put  Dick,  and  then 
You'll  see  that  ONE  with  NINE  make  TEN. 


If  You  Please. 


75 


IF  YOU  PLEASE. 


I  HOPE  my  children  never  will 
Say,  "  Give  me  "  this  or  that, — 

But,  "  If  you  please,"  I'd  like  a  bun, 
Or,  "  Thank  you"  for  a  pat. 


The  Poor  Little  Chicks-dees. 


THE  POOR  LITTLE  CHICK-A-DEES. 


EN  littie  chick-a-dees  clinging  to  a  vine,- 
A    speckled   snake   charmed    one,    then 
there  were  but  NINE. 


NINE  little  chick-a-dees,— one  without  a  mate, — 
A  Sparrow-hawk  caught  one,  then   there   were  but 
EIGHT. 


The  Poor  Little  Chick-a-dees. 


77 


EIGHT  little  chick-a  dees,  by  a  'possum  driven, — 
He  caught  one  and  slaughtered  it,  then  there  were 
but  SEVEN. 


SEVEN  little  chick-a-dees  hopping  round  the  ricks, — 
A  Weasel  came  and   captured  one,  then  there  were 
but  six. 


Six  little  chick-a-dees  watching  Rover  dive, — 
He  sprang  ashore  and  seized  one,  then  there  were 
but  FIVE. 


The  Poor  Little  Chick-a-dees. 


1-fVE  little  chick-a-dees  pecking  at  the  door, — 
Kitty-cat  caught  one,  then  there  were  but  FOUR. 


FOUR  little  chick-a-dees  full  of  birdy  glee, — 

One  was  tangled  in  a  net,  then  there  were  but  THREE. 


THREE  little  chick-a-dees  dabbling  in  the  dew, — 
A  stone  fell  and  crushed  one,  then  there  were  but  TWO. 


The  Poor  Little  Chick-a-dees. 


79 


Two  little  chick-a-dees  peeping  just  for  fun, — 

A  hungry  Kite  caught  one,  then  there  was  but  ONE. 


ONE  little  chick-a-dee,  mourning  all  alone, 

Flew  away  to  find  a  mate,  and  then  there  was  NONE, 


So 


Heigh-ho,  Daisies  and  Butter-Cups. 


HEIGH-HO,  DAISIES  AND 
BUTTER-CUPS. 

EIGH-HO,  daisies  and  but- 

ter-cups 
Grow  in  the  meadows  for 

children  to  gather; 
But  cattle  will  shun  them, 
And    farmers   will    burn 

them, 

Because    in   their    fields 
they  are  only  a  bother. 

eigh-ho,  red-top   and    clover- 
bloom, 
Filling     the     air    with    their 

sweetness  and  beauty, 
Will  yield  without  measure, 
Their    wealth   of    rich  treas- 

ure, 

Rewarding  the  farmer  for  doing  his 
duty. 


Pony. 


THE  PONY. 


ONCE  2  is  2, 

Here  's  a  pony  for  you  ; 


Two  2s  are  4, 

But  be  careful  the 
more, — 

THREE  2s  are  6, 
For  perhaps  pony 
kicks ; 


FOUR  2s  are  8, 
And  if  so  we  must  wait, — 


82  The  Pony. 

FIVE  2s  are  1 0, 

Till  he  's  trained  by  the  men  ;- 


Six  2s  are  12, 

Before  trusting  ourselves, — 


The  Pony. 

SEVEN  2s  are  1 4, 
To  ride  him  out  sporting ; 

EIGHT  2s  are  1 6, 
But  we  can  be  fixing — 


NINE  2s  are  1 8, 

His  food  while  we're  waiting; 

TEN  2s  are  20, 

Oh,  yes,  give  him  plenty,— 

ELEVEN  2s  are  22, 

For  then  he  will  be  gentle  to— 


84 


The  Pony. 


TWELVE  2s  are  24, 

Us  who  feed  and  pet  him  more. 


The  Pony. 


86 


Baby's  Reckoning. 


BABY'S  RECKONING. 


One  little  head,  Ah!  but  what  does  it  hold  ? 

No  matter, — it's  worth  its  whole  weight  in  pure  gold. 

Two  big  brown  eyes,  soft  with  Heaven's  own  dew  ; 
No  diamonds  so  precious,  so  sparkling,  so  true. 


Baby's  Reckoning.  87 

Three  cunning  dimples,  one  deep  in  her  chin, 
And  one  in  each  cheek — Ah!  they're  just  twin  and 
twin. 

Four  little  fingers  to  clutch  mamma's  hair, — 
But  sweeter  than  honeycomb,  even  when  there. 

Five,  we  may  call  it,  with  little  Tom  Thumb, 
And  that  fist  in  her  mouth  is  as  sweet  as  a  plum. 

Six  wonderful  pearls  her  bright  coral  lips  hide, 
And  the  Kohinoor's  nothing  these  pure  pearls  beside*. 

Seven  brown  wavelets  are  ever  in  motion, 

And  silken  floss  to  them  is  naught,  to  our  notion. 

Eight  little  giggles  run  over  with  glee — 
And  more  if  you  call  them,  so  merry  is  she. 

Nine  songs,  (they're  Greek  tho'  to  all  but  mamma), 
Make  us  think  she  is  destined,  an  Opera  Star. 

Ten  toddling  steps,  but  to  us  full  of  grace, 

For  our  babe  in  our  hearts  ever  holds  the  first  place. 


88  Two  Little  Pink  Shoes. 


TWO  LITTLE  PINK  SHOES. 


Two  little  pink  shoes  standing  by  the  head 
Of  our  Nanny  sleeping  in  the  trundle-bed ; 

On  the  little  table,  waiting  for  the  morn, 
fwo  little  pink  shoes,  our  Nanny  to  adorn. 


Two  Little  Pink  Shoes.  89 

Two  little  bright  eyes,  peeping  open  wide, 
Spied  the  little  table,  and  the  pink  shoes  spied. 

Two  little  fat  hands  climbing  up  to  catch ; 
Two  little  fat  feet  following  to  match. 

Two  little  fat  arms  hug  them  to  her  breast ; 
Two  little  fat  legs  run  to  show  the  rest. 

Never  more  a  treasure  can  our  Nancy  choose, 
That  will  give  such  pleasure  as  these  two  pink  shoes. 


In  your  work  or  your  play, 
When  you  read,  talk,  or  write, 

Sit  always,  my  child, 

With  your  back  to  the  light, 


Baby  Pearl. 


BABY  PEARL. 


Now  listen  while  I  tell  you,  child, 
That  I  am  quite  a  grown-up  girl, 

For  I  can  read,  and  spell  my  name, 

While  you, — why,  you're  just  Baby  Pearl. 

I  help  mamma  to  "house-keep,"  too, 
Although  she  says  I  make  a  whirl  I 

But  I  can  wipe  the  forks  and  spoons, 
While  you,  Ah,  you're  just  Baby  Pearl. 

And  then  I  dress  myself,  you  see, 
And  comb  my  hair  when  not  in  curl, 

And  I  can  make  my  dolly's  clothes, 
While  you, — you're  only  Baby  Pearl. 


My  Valentine.  < 

Tis  true,  mamma  says  I  must  be 

"A  very  pattern  little  girl," 
Just  all  for  you,  and  I  shall  try 

Because, — because, — you're  Baby  Pearl. 


MY  VALENTINE. 


Dearest  little  lover  mine, 
Sweetest,  pertest  valentine  ; 
"  Desht  I'm  two  years  old,"  he  says,- 
Blessings  on  his  pretty  ways, — 

"  'Tan't  I  be  your  valentine  *  " 
Yes  forever,  lover  mine, 
Shalt  thou  be  my  valentine. 


Fee-Fi-Fo-fum. 


FEE-FI-FO-FUM. 

FEE-FI-FO-FUM, 
From   the  Spruce-tree   comes   the 

gum  ; 

From  the  Pine  the  turpentine, 
Tar  and  pitch, 
And  timber  which 
Is  very  choice  and  fine. 


Fee-fi-fo-fum, 
How  from   Spruce- 
tree  comes  the 
gum? 
Soft     enough  ; — the 

sticky  stuff, 
From     seam    and 

cleft, 

Both  right  and  left, 
Flows  out,  and  hard 
ens,  rough. 


Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. 

Fay-fi-fo-fee, 

Nut-galls  grow  on  the  Oak-tree  ; 
By  tiny  worms  the  nut-gall  forms, 

Like  little  ball ; 

And  from  Nut-gall 
The  Gallic  Acid  comes. 


93 


Fee-fi-fo-fade, 

From  Nut-galls,  too,  the  Tannin's  made; 

While  Acorns  grow  in  group  or  row  ; — 
And  Live-oak  long, 
Makes  ship-knees,  strong, 

That  round  the  world  may  go, 


94  Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. 

Fee-fi-fo-fap, 
We  tap  the  Maples,  and  the  sap 


We  find  as  sweet  as  sugar-beet,— 

Then  boiling  hard, 

Our  sure  reward, 
The  maple-sugar  treat. 


Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. 


Fay-fi-fo-fee, 

See  the  graceful  White-Birch  tree 
With  bark  so  light,  so  tough  and 
tight 

That  Indians  wrought 
Canoes  we're  taught, 
And  paddled  out  of  sight. 


Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. 

Fee-fi-fo-fap, 

Hark  and  hear  the  Hemlock  snap;—  . 
Little  spine  so  full  of  wind, 

Heated,  hops, 

And  jumping,  pops, 
And  makes  the  bright  eyes  shine. 


Fee-fi-fo-fur, 

See  the   curious  chestnut-burr; 
Green  and  round,  then  turning  brown. 

Frost  opens  wide 

Each  prickly  sid», 
And  out  the  chestnuts  bound. 


Fee-Fi  Fo-Fum.  97 

Fee-fi-fo-fay, 

Now  the  farmer  maKes  his  hay ; 
Grasses  grow,  which  workmen  mow, — 

Toss  every-wise, 

Till  sunshine  dries, 
Then  into  stacks,  they  stow. 


Fay-fee-fi-fo, 

See  the  farmer  wield  his  hoe, 
Lettuce,  greens,  then  corn  and  beans, 

With  pumpkin-vines 

Along  the  lines, 
Where  manv  a  weed  o'er-leans. 


98  Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. 

Fee-fi-fo-fog, 
See  the  wriggling  pollywog,* — 


With  funny  tail ;  but  without  fail 

This  polly  wog 

Will  grow  a  frog, 
And  lose  his  wiggle-tail. 


Fee-fi-fo-faint, 

Colors,  seven,  the  Rainbow  paint; 
Violet  bright  is  first  in  sight — 

Then  indigo, 

Blue,  green,  yellow, 
Orange  and  Red, — the  seven,  WHITE. 

*Common  name  for  poll}' wig,  or  tadpole. 


Fay-fee-fi-fo, 
Now  you  ask,  "  What 
makes  Rainbow?" 
It  is  the  sun,  my  darling 

one, 
Shines  through  the 

rain, * 

O'er  hill  and  plain,— 
But  see,  the    beauty's 
flown. 


Fay-fi-fo-fear, 

Don't  you  understand  it,  dear? 
Raindrops  fall,  Sun  shines  through  all, 

Reflects  beyond, 

This  beauteous  wand 
Which  we  the  Rainbow  call. 


100 


The  Oxen. 


THE  OXEN. 

THE  oxen  are  such  clever  beasts, 
They'll  drag  the  plough  all  day  ; 

They're  very  strong  and  tug  along 
Great  loads  of  wood  or  hay. 


They  feed  on 
grass,  when 
green  or  dry ; 


Their  flesh  is  beef,  for  food  ; 
Their    lungs   are  "  lights," 
their   stomach,  "tripe," 
Their  skin  for  leather's  good. 


Their  hair  men  use  in  mortar,  too, — 
Lime,  water,  sand  and  hair, 

They  nicely  mix  and  smoothly  fix, 
For  plastering,  so  fair. 


The  Os, 


101 


For  making  soap  their  bones  are  used  ; 

Their  horns  for  combs  we  group ; 
Their  feet  are  boiled  for  "  neat's-foot-oil, 

Their  tails  for  ox-tail  soup. 

Their  heart-case  forms  a  money-bag; 

Their  tallow,  candles,  white  ; 
Their  intestine,  gold-beater's  skin, 

With  which  gold-leaf  we  smite. 


Thus  every  part  is  useful  made ; 

The  same  is  true  of  cows, — 
Except  their  ilk  gives  luscious  milk 

Instead  of  dragging  ploughs. 


The  Oxen. 

Oxen  and  cows  are  "  cattle  "  called ; 

They  go  in  "  herds,"  when  wild ; 
But  when  they're  tame,  by  other  name,- 

A  "drove,"  en  masse,  they're  styled. 


Their  little  ones  are  "  calves," — and  cows' 

Rich  milk  produces  cream, 
Which  butter  makes,  and  nice  cheese-cakes, 

With  curd,  whey,  and  caseine. 

And  now  'tis  funny,  but  'tis  true, 

Some  children  young  and  mazy, 
Have  thought  their  eyes  were  used  some-wise, 

To  make  the  ox-eyed  daisy! 


The  Oxen. 

This  cannot  be,  yet  creatures'  bones 
Placed  round  trees,  plants  and  bowers, 

Will  serve  to  feed  just  what  they  need, 
To  grow  fine  fruits  and  flowers. 


103 


The  Broken  Pitcher. 


THE  BROKEN  PITCHER. 


"SWEET,  my  love,  I'm  sorry 
That  you  did  not  tell, 

When  you  broke  the  pitcher 
Coming  from  the  well." 


"Oh,  I  thought  you'd  whip  me, 

Just  as  Betty  did  ; 
Then  when  she  would  ask  me, 

I  would  tell  a  fib." 


"  Sweet,  my  child,  I  never 

Punish  any  one 
For  an  accidental 

Thing  that  may  be  done. 


"  Tell  me  always,  darling, 
Everything  you  do  ; 

This  will  help  to  make  you 

Thoughtful,  brave  and  true,' 


The  Elephants. 


105 


THE  ELEPHANTS. 


THE  ivory  for  our  combs, 

From  elephants'  tusks  is  made ; 
The  handles,  too  for  many  a  knife, 

And  for  paper-knives  the  blade. 

The  elephant  knows  a  friend, — 
And  well  remembers,  too, 

A  kindly  act,— but  ne'er  forgets 
The  teasing  of  a  foe. 


io6 


The  Wind. 


THE   WIND. 

HAT  is  the  wind,  Mam. 

ma?" 
"  Tis  air  in  motion, 

child;" 
"Why  can  I  never  see 

the  wind 

That  blows  so  fierce 
and  wild?" 

"Because  the  Gases,  dear, 
Of  which  the  air  is  made, 

Are  quite  transparent,  that  is,  we 
See  through,  but  see  no  shade." 

ND  what  are  Gases,  Ma?" 

"Fluids,  which,  if  we  squeeze 
In  space  too  small,  will  burst  with 

force ;" — 
"And  what  are  fluids,  please?" 

"Fluids  are  what  will  flow, 

And  gases  are  so  light 
That  when  we  give  them  room  enough, 

They  rush  with  eager  flight." 


The  Wind. 


107 


HAT  gases,  dear  Mamma, 

Make  up  the  air  or  wind?" 
"  'Tis  Oxygen  and  Nitrogen 

That  chiefly  there  we  find ; 
And  when  the  air  is  full 

Of  Oxygen  we're  gay, 
But  when  there  is  not  quite  enough, 
We're  dull,  or  faint  away." 


THE  FOG. 


HAT  is  the  fog,  Mamma?" 
"Sometimes  the  air  is  light 

And  cannot  bear  up  all  the  mists, 
And  then  'tis  foggy,  quite; 


But  when  air  heavier  grows, 
The  fog  is  borne  above, 
And  floated  off,  the  cloudy  stuff, — 
Just  see  it,  graceful,  move." 


io8 


The  Wind. 

THE   RAIN. 


HAT  makes  the   rain, 


ma 


"The  mists  and  vapors  rise 
From    land   and   stream    and 
rolling  sea, 


Up  toward  the  distant 

skies ; 
And  there  they  form  the  clouds, 

Which,  when  they're  watery,  dear, 
Pour  all  the  water  down  to  earth, 
And  rain  afar  or  near." 

•  THE   SNOW. 

HAT     makes     the      Snow, 
Mamma?" 


"When  very  cold 

above, 

The  mists  are  frozen  high  in  air, 
And  fall  as  snow,  my  love." 


The  Wind. 


109 


"And  Hail?"  "  Tis  formed  the  same  ; 

Cold  streams  of  air  have  come 
And  frozen  all  the  water-drops, 

And  thus  the  hail-stones  form. 


o\v  do  not  question  more, 

Dear  child,  but  run  and  play, 
I'll  tell  you  of  the  Water,  Fire, 
And  Light,  another  day." 
"Oh  yes,  and  dear  Mamma, 

Of  Thunder,  Lightning,  too, 
For  I  shall  want  to  know  it  all, 
So  tell  me,  Mamma,  do." 


MO  Truth. 

TRUTH. 

Do  not  let  "Mother  Truth"  find  a  falsehood  all  over, — 
Amongst  all  her  children,  no,  never  a  lie  ; 

Stand  for  Truth,  ye  wee  babies,  for  Truth,  ye  who're 

older, 
For  Truth  while  you  live,  and  for  Truth  till  you  die. 

All  ye  myriads  of  children  this  little  book  talks  to, 

Form  now  in  each  household  a  band  for  the  Truth  ,- 
Do  not  let  even  a    "white  lie,"    and   still    less    a 

''whopper," 

Find  a  place  in  your  hearts,  nor  your  heads,  nor 
your  mouth. 

You  know  God  is  Truth; — and  as  you  are  His  children, 

You  want  to  be  like  Him  as  near  as  you  can ; 
Speak  the  Truth,  live  the  Truth,  be  the  Truth  with 

Him, 

And  Heaven  will  have  come,  as  Christ  taught  in 
his  plan. 


11.2  Hi-diddle,  Ho-diddle. 

HI-DIDDLE,  HO-DIDDLE. 


HI-DIDDLE,  HO-DIDDLE, 

Pop-diddle-dee, 

This  Earth  of  ours,  on  which  we  live, 
Is  round  as  it  can  be. 

Pray,  then,  what  is  a 

Mountain,  valley,  hill? 
They  are  but  like  little  warts, 
And  pores,  on  orange-peeL 

Hi-diddle,  ho-diddle, 

Pop-diddle-dee, — 
Our  Earth  is  swinging  in  the  air, 
As  you  can  plainly  see ; — 


HMiddle,  Ho-diddle.  113 

Pray,  then,  what  keeps  it 

Hanging  up  in  space? 
The  Sun,  my  child,  attracts  the  Earth 
And  holds  it  in  its  place^ 


Hi-diddle,  ho-diddle, 

Pop-diddle-dee, — 
A  lovely  Moon  is  shining  for 
This  Earth  of  ours,  you  see, — 

Held  in  its  cradle 

Ever  since  its  birth, 
Because  our  globe  attracted  it, 
As  the  Sun  attracts  the  Earth. 

Hi-diddle,  ho-diddle, 

Pop-diddle-dee, 
What  I  mean  by  globe,  child, 
You're  wondering  now,  I  see. 


U4  Hi4td&e>  Ho-diddle. 

A  globe  or  a  ball,  dear, 

Is  what  is  round  and  true, 
And  that  is  why  I'm  calling  it, — 
This  Earth, — a  globe,  to  you. 

Hi-diddle,  ho-diddle, 

Pop-diddle-dee, 

Instead  of  globe  I  might  have  said 
A  sphere  for  you  and  me  ; 

For  all  the  same,  in  truth, 

Are  sphere  and  globe  and  ball, 
And  Jiemi  's  half — so  half  this  Earth, 
A  hemisphere,  we  call. 

Hi-diddle,  ho-diddle, 

Pop-diddle-dee, 

'T  was  once  supposed  the  Earth  stood  still, 
While  Sun  went  round  it,  free ; — 

But  now  we've  learned  it  well, 

That  't  is  the  Earth  doth  turn 
Upon  its  Axis,  as  it  's  called  ; 
And  also  round  the  Sun. 


Hi-diddle,  Ho-diddle. 

Hi-diddle,  ho-diddle, 

Pop-diddle-dee, 
Our  Earth  in  turning  round, 
How  long  may  she  be  ? 


She  turns  on  her  axis 
In  a  day,  and  a  night, 
But  to  go  around  the  Sun 
Takes  a  year  for  the  flight. 


What  is  the  Axis? 


WHA  T  IS  THE  AXIS? 

I 


Now  you  ask,  "  What  is  the  Axis  ?  " 

With  an  apple  I  will  show ; 
Place  your  thumb  upon  the  stem-place, 

And  your  finger  at  the  blow; — 
No\v  we'll  just  suppose  the  apple 

Has  a  stem  that  passes  through, 
And  this  stem  would  be  the  Axis ; 

Now  we'll  whirl  the  apple,  true, 

Holding  fast  'twixt  thumb  and  finger, — 
That's  the  way  the  Earth  goes  round 

On  its  Axis,  as  we  call  it, 

Though  no  real  stem  is  found. 


What  is  the  Axis? 

And  the  two  ends  of  the  Axis 

Have  been  called  the  Poles,  my  dear; 

Yes,  the  North  Pole  and  the  South  Pole, 
Where  'tis  very  cold  and  drear. 

Now  we'll  hold  a  bigger  apple 

At  a  distance,  for  the  Sun  ; 
Tip  the  smaller  one  a  little, 

And  then  slowly  wheel  it  round 
All  around  the  larger  apple, 

And  it  represents  the  Earth 
Circling  round  the  Sun  that  holds  it, 

Ceaseless,  in  its  yearly  path. 

Wondrous  is  the  strong  attraction 

Of  the  Sun  which  holds  in  place 
All  the  Planets  in  their  turnings, 

All  the  Stars  that  see  his  face  ; 
But  more  wondrous  far  the  power 

That  created  Sun  and  us, 
And  that  gave  a  form  and  being, 

To  this  mighty  Universe. 

"  The  Universe!  "  now  you  exclaim  : 
"  By  the  Universe,  what  do  you  mean? 


li8  What  is  the  Axisf 

Tis  the  Sun  and  the  Planets,  and  every  thing  known, 
That  we  call  by  this  Universe  name. 


Now  the  "  Planets,"  you  ask, 

"  What  are  Planets  ?  "     They're  globes, 
Some  larger,  some  smaller  than  Earth, — 

Which  are  swinging  in  space, 

And  are  all  held  in  place, 
By  the  God-power  that  first  gave  them  birth. 


Heat  and  Cold.  119 


HEA  T  AND  COLD. 

Our  earth  has  a  North  Pole, 

Where  'tis  very  cold  ; 
It  also  has  a  South  Pole, 

That's  just  the  same,  we're  told. 
But  half-way  between, 

And  all  the  way  around, 
We  call  it  the  Equator, 

And  heat  doth  there  abound. 
For  there  the  sun  shines  always, 

Though  it  goes  north  or  south 
Some  twenty-three  degrees  (23°)  or  more, 

And  sometimes  causes  drouth. 
The  sun  goes  north,  we  call  it. 

But  'tis  the  earth  instead, 
That  tips,  and  makes  it  seem  the  sun 

Comes  higher  overhead. 
And  when  the  sun  is  northward 

'Tis  summer  here,  you  see  ; 
And  when  it's  to  the  southward 

Tis  there  in  same  degree. 


Harley  s  Dream. 


PARLEY'S  DREAM. 

I  KNOW  a  little  brown-eyed  boy, 
His  name  is  Harley  Hart  ; 

And  with  a  naughty  boy  or  girl, 
Our  Harley  has  no  part. 

He  cons  his  lessons  o'er  and  o'er, 
And  once  he  fell  asleep, 

With  finger  marking  A,  B,  C, 
As  'twere  the  place  to  keep. 


then  he  dreamed  a  funny  dream- 
The  page  jumps  up  to  dance, 
The  letters  laugh,  and  by  and  by, 
Like  imps  they  leap  and  prance. 


Har ley's  Dream.  121 

Now  Harley  oft  had  wondered  whence 

The  letters  first  had  come  ; 
And  I'm  afraid  he  sometimes  wished 

They  all  had  staid  at  home, 

Instead  of  teasing  him  with  quirks, 

>And  bothering  him  with  names 
That  seemed  to  help  him  hardly  more 

In  learning  words  than  games. 

w 

One  little  imp  squeaked  :  "  I  am  A  ; 

You  could  not  be  a  man 
Without  me."     Then  another  cried  : 

"  I  am  E"  and  quickly  ran, 

Exclaiming :  "And  without  us  both 

You  could  not  have  a  h^ad." 
Another  says :  "  You'd  have  no  1/mbs 

If  /  were  lost  or  dead." 

Then  O,   "  You'd  have  no  nose  nor  toes, 

If  it  were  not  for  me;  " 
"  And  what  is  more,  were  I  not  here," 

Says  U,  "you  could  not  be." 


Harleys  Dream. 

And  thus  they  each  and  all  lay  c/aim 

To  parcel  and  to  part 
Of  what  he  was,  or  what  should  do 

With  hand,  or  head,  or  heart. 

They  hung  a  ladder  'gainst  4he  tree, 

And  clambered  up  and  down  ; 
They  played  :-  thousand  pranks  as  wild 

As  any  gipsey  clown. 

They  whispered  that  they  came  from  Rome, 

And  that,  if  rightly  placed, 
They'd  serve  our  Harley  with  a  feast 

A  king  would  joy  to  taste. 

So  when  he  woke  and  knew  they  were  • 

The  little  mystic  keys 
That  open  Learning's  gates  so  wide, 

He  loved  his  A,  B,  C's. 


Our  Language  Key.  /       123 

OUR  LANGUAGE  KEY. 


WE  are  small,  and  we  are  few, 
But  we're  wondrous  mighty,  too,— 
For  no  word  can  language  wear, 
Save  in  it  we  hold  a  share. 
One  of  us  in  May  is  met, — 
One  is  caught  in  every  net ; 
One  is  in  the  clambering  vine, 
One,  in  Moon,  must  ever  shine ; 
One  's  in  you, — and  all  so  chy, 
The  last  is  hiding  in  your  eye. 


The  Speech  Family. 


THE  SPEECH  F  Llf/LY. 


THE  name  of  everything 
we   know,   as   slate, 
or  book,  or  toy, 
Is   called   a  Noun.     All 

names  are  nouns; 
remember  this,  my  boy. 


A  word  that  means  to  be,  to  act,  or  to  be  acted  on, 
Is  called  a  Verb;  as  is,  or  eat,  or  sing;  or  he  is  gone. 


The  Speech  Family.  125 

A  word  that  tells  the  color,  form,  or  quality  of  things, 
Is  called  an  Adjective;  as,  bright,  or  round,  or  softest 
wings. 

A  word  that  tells  how  things  are  done,  as  quickly  > 

bravely,  well. 
Is  called  an  Adverb;  and   I'm  sure  you  many  more 

can  tell. 

A  word  that's  used  in  place  of  nouns,  a  Pronoun  we 

may  call ; 
As,  /  for  mother ;  you,  for  James ;  this,  that,  for  hoop 

or  ball 

A  Prepositions  placed  before  a  noun,  and  serves  to 

show 
Relation  to  some  other  word  ;  as,  Rover's  in  the  snow. 

And  then  Conjunctions  join  two  words  or  sentences 

together  ; 
As,  man  and  boy,  or  birds  will  fly  and  winds  blow 

o'er  the  heather. 

Then  Interjections,   Oh!  and  Ah!  Behold!  and   many 

another, 
Express    surprise,    delight;    dismay,  far  more  than 

every  other. 


126  Number  and  Gender. 

And  these  the  Parts  of  Speech  we  call ;  Eight  parts  as 

you  may  tell ; 
And   all  the  language  you  will  know,  when  these 

you've  studied  well. 


NUMBER  AND  GENDER. 

A  NOUN  or  name  that'means  but  one, 
Is  called  in  the  singular  number ; 

But  when  it  stands  for  more  than  one, 
Tis  plural,  child,  remember. 


A  NOUN  that  is  the  name  of  males, 

As  ox,  or  horse,  or  father, 
Is  masculine  in  gender,  dear  ; 

While  cow,  and  mare,  and  mother, 
And  all  the  names  of  females,  child, 

Are  feminine,  'tis  true  ; 
Now  tell  me  all  the  names  you  know, 

And  tell  their  gender,  too. 
But  you  will  find  there's  many  a  noun 

Not  male,  nor  female  either, 
As  chair,  and  book ;  and  such  we  call 

In  neuter  gender — neither. 


One  Little  Chicken. 
ONE  LITTLE  CHICKEN. 


ONE  little  chicken,  two  little  chickens,  three  little 

chickens,  dear ; 

Don't  you  see  we  add  s,  when  more  than  one  is  here? 
And  this  we  do  with  almost  all  the  nouns  that  may 

appear. 


One  little  birdy,  two  little  birdies,  three  little  birdies 

soar; 

The  y  is  changed  to  i-e-s  for  birdies  two  or  more  ; 
And  this,  when  a  word  shall  end  in/  with  a  consonant 

before. 

One   little   donkey,  two  little   donkeys,  three   little 

donkeys   bray. 
But  here  the  y  remains  unchanged,  and  s  is  called  in 

play; 
And  this,  when  a  word  shall  end  in  y,  where  a  vowel 

leads  the  way. 


128 


Letters. 


LETTERS. 


E,        I,        O,        U, 

The  vowels  we  may  call ; 
VV,  Y,  are  vowels  too, 

Whene'er  they  chance  to  fall 
To  the  end  of  syllable  or  word. 

And  this  we  well  may  know 
That  all  the  rest  are  consonants  ; 
Just  nineteen  in  a  row. 


P,  and  T  are  called  the  mutes, 

Because  they  interrupt 
All  voice  or  sound  ;  while  B  and  D 

Can  only  intercept ; 
Hence  these  are  partial  mutes,  my 

child  ; 
And  H  is  aspirate; 
And  th,  too,  in  ///ink  and  ///rone, 
But  vocal  in  this,  that. 


Words.  129 

Then  lip-letters,  or  labials, 

And  dentals,  or  tooth  letters, 
With  palatals  and  sibilants 

Seem  wondrously  like  fetters. 
But,  ah!  instead  o(  prisoning, 

They  open  wide  the  way 
That  leads  to  Learning's  loftiest  heights; 

Press  on,  and  win  the  day. 


WORDS. 


ELL  me  the  name  of  something,  dear; 

As  book,  or  ball,  or  kite ; 
Now  tell  some  quality  of  each, 

As  big,  or  round,  or  light. 
And  now  some  word  that  means  to  be 

Yes,  is,  my  child,  you're  right. 


The  ink  is  black, 
The  snow  is  white, 
The  ice  is  hard — is  cold : 
The  sky  is  blue, 
The  air  is  light, 
Sometimes  the  child  is  bold. 


130  Words. 

And  thus  let  names  of  everything 
Afar  or  near  be  told ; 

And  Qualities  of  each  and  all 
Let  memory  infold. 


OW  give  one  name,  and  tell  me  all 

Its  qualities  as  well ; 
^s,  coal  is  black,  and  coal  is  hard, 

And  coal's  inflammable. 

A.nd  now,  you  children  should  be  taught 

That  we  need  not  repeat 
The  name,  with  every  word  that  tells 

Its  qualities  complete. 


Coal's  black,  hard,  and  inflammable, 

We  say ;  but  all  so  fast, 
A  comma  follows  after  each, 

With  and  before  the  last. 

And  now  use  iron,  chalk,  and  clay, 
Use  water,  snow,  and  ice, 

\  \>e  thread  and  needle,  pin  and  pen, 
Use  every  word  that's  nice. — 


A  Smile.  131 

NOTHER  lesson  now  attend— 

We'll  find  some  quality 
Embraced  by  several  different  things, 

As  you  will  plainly  see. 


Snow  is  cold,  ice  is  cold, 

Salt  is  cold  as  well ; 
Snow,  ice,  and  salt  are  cold,  my  child, 

As  every  one  can  tell. 


A  SMILE. 

HE  smiled  on  me,  she  smiled  on  me! 

In  ecstacy  exclaimed 
A  little  waif  in  tattered  gown, 

With  form  so  halt  and  maimed. 
Remember,  even  a  smile  may  cheer, 

A  cup  of  water,  bless; 
A  kindly  word,  sow  seeds  of  joy, 

Whose  fruit  is  happiness. 


132  Twinkle,   Twinkle. 


TWINKLE,  TWINKLEs 

"  TWINKLE,  twinkle,  little  star, 
Up  above  the  world  so  far, 
Whisper  now  and  tell  me,  pray, 
What  you  are,  and  how  you  stay. 


"  Some  of  us  away  so  far, 
Planets  like  your  own  Earth,  aits; 
And  we  shine  with  borrowed  light, 
Borrowed  from  the  Sun,  so  bnght. 

"  Some  of  us  are  silvery  moons, 
Shining  all  the  nightly  noons ; 
Some  of  us  are  jelly,  soft, 
Shooting,  falling,  from  aloft. 


Twinkle,   Twinkle. 


133 


Some  of  us  are  Nebulae, — 
Faint  and  misty  stars  we  be  ; — 
Some  are  Suns  to  other  worlds ; 
Here  and  there  a  Comet  whirls. 


Having  each  our  time  and 

place, 
Swinging  in  the  wondrous 

space ; 
Held  in  line  by  Him  who 

planned, 
And  who  holds  you  in  His 

hand." 


134  Old  Sol  in  a  Jingle. 

OLD  SOL  IN  A  JINGLE. 

Hl-DIDDLE-DIDDLE, 

The  Sun's  in  the  middle, 
And  planets  around  him  so  grand, 
Are  swinging  in  space, 
Held  forever  in  place, 
In  the  Zodiac  girdle  or  band. 


Hi-diddle-cliddle, 

The  Sun's  in  the  middle, 
And  Mercury's  next  to  the  Sun 
While  Venus,  so  bright, 
Seen  at  morning  or  night, 
MERCURY.  Comes  Second,  to  join  in  the  fun.    VENUS. 


Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The  Sun's  in  the  middle, 
And  Third  in  the  group  is  our 

Earth ; 

While  Mars  with  his  fire, 
EARTH.  So  warlike  and  dire,  MARS- 

Swings  around  to  be  counted  the  Fourth. 


136  Old  Sol  in  a  Jingle. 

Hi-diddle-diddle, 
The  Sun's  in  the  middle, 

While  Jupiter's  next  after  Mars, — 
And  his  four  moons  at  night 
Show  the  speed  of  the  light ; 

Next  golden-ringed  Saturn  appears, 


JUPITER. 


SATURN. 


Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The  Sun's  in  the  middle, 
After  Saturn  comes  Uranus  far ; — 

And  his  antics  so  queer, 

Led  Astronomers  near 
To  old  Neptune,  who  drives  the  last  car.* 

D    D 


URANUS. 


*Other  planets  are  as  yet  too  little  known  to  claim  place. 


Robert  of  Lincoln. 
' <  ROBERT  OF  LINCOLN:' 


137 


BOB-O-LINK,  bob-o-link,  reed-bird,  butter-bird, 
All  through  the  country  his  jingle  is  gaily  heard  ; 
Reveling  in  rice-fields  he  sweeps  through  the  South, 
While  wheat,  corn,  and  barley-fields  welcome  him 

North, 

And  Bobby  is  wild  with  his  singing  and  chatter, 
So  saucily  calling  with  rattle  and  clatter, 
Bob-o-link,  bob-o-link,  Tom-denny,  Tom-denny, 
Come-now-and-pay-me-that-two-shillings-one-penny,— 
No,-ril-not-wait-for-a-day-nor-a-minute, 
So-pay-me-up-quick-or-you'11-get-your-foot-in-it; — 
Chink-a-chee,  chink-a-chee,  chink-a-chee,  chin-it, 
Yes,-pay-me-up-quick,-or-you'll-get-your-foot-in-it." 


138 


Limpy-Dimpy-Dingle. 


LIMPY-DIMPY-DINGLE. 


LIMPY-DIMPY-DINGLE,  chicky-bid  would  stray 

To  the  trap  that  had  been  set  for  weasels,  many  a  day, 

Umpy-dimpy-dingle,  chicky-bid  walked  in, 

And  the  trap  its  teeth  shut  up,  on  chicky-biddy's  shin. 

Li mpy-dimpy-d ingle,  chicky-bid  is  brought, 

A.nd  her  leg,  so  sore  and  big,  we  bathe  with  water  hot. 

Limpy-dimpy-dingle,  here's  a  broken  bone, 
AJ1  so  rough, — but  close  enough  we  bring  the  ends, 
right  soon. 


Limpy-Dimpy-Dingle.  13$ 

Limpy-dimpy-dingle,  strips  of  paste-board  cut, 
We  will  place  with  care  and  grace,  from  thigh_to 
trembling  foot 

Limpy-dimpy-dingle,  softest  cotton,  too, 

Just  within  the  paste-board  thin,  to  fit  around  so  true. 


Limpy-dimpy-dingle,  now  with  tape  or  band, 
Neatly  wind,  and  closely  bind,  with  deft  and  skillful 
hand. 


Limpy-dimpy-dingle,  nature  '11  do  the  rest, 

And  soon  will  knit  the  bone  to  fit,  as  good  as  very  best. 


140 


Castle   Wonderful. 


CASTLE  WONDERFUL. 


I  know  a  castle,  curious, 

Of  lovely  form  and  make ; 
That  we  may  view  the  castle  through, 

A  hasty  peep  we'll  take. 


Castle  Wonderful.  141 

The  framework  of  my  castle  proud, 

Is  neither  wood  nor  stone, 
But  earthy  matter  mixed  with  lime 

And  hardened  into  bone. 


This  frame,  of  oddments  is  composed, 

In  mind,  the  number  fix, — 
Of  long  and  short  and  thick  and  thin, 

Two  hundred  just,  and  six. 

And  these  are  fastened  each  to  each, 

By  hinges,  like,  or  joints, 
Which,  with  an  oil  so  soft  and  pure, 

The  Builder  wise,  anoints. 

For  garnishing  this  goodly  frame, 
Quaint  cushions,  large  and  small, 

Are  fitly  fashioned,  each  in  place, 
And  pliant,  one  and  all. 

For  cushion  covers,  deftly  wrought, 

A  scarf  so  beautiful,— 
So  pinkish-white,  so  loose  yet  tight, 

So  warm  and  yet  so  cool ; 

Upon  the  smoothly  rounded  roof 

Is  strewn  the  finest  floss, 
A  filmy  veil,  as  soft  as  silk, — 

Or  is  it  fairy  moss  ? 


142  Castle  Wonderful. 

Two  windows  hath  this  castle  fair, 
That  shut  and  open  wide, 


With  cords  and  pulleys,  curtails 
And  fixtures  fine  beside. 


These  wondrous  windows  even  smile 
And  speak  and  fairly  dance, 

And  play  at  anger,  hate,  and  love, 
And  mischief,  too,  perchance. 

These  windows,  too,  are  marvelous 

In  that  they  let  the  light 
Both  in  and  out  for  him  who  dwells 

Within,  the  lordly  knight. 

Two  telephones  of  wondrous  make,  — 
A  door,  with  guards  and  bell,  — 

A  ventilator,  double-bored, 
Aye  does  its  duty  well. 


Castle  Wonderful. 

And  ah !  within,  this  castle  grand, 
Is  fitted  to  a  T, 


143 


With  everything  that's  needful  there 
For  serving  you  or  me. 


And  strange  to  tell,  this  castle  builds 

Itself,  if  but  supplies 
Be  placed  within  the  open  door, 

With  watchful  care  and  wise. 


144  Castle   Wonderful. 

It  clears  itself  too  of  the  dust 
And  ashes  strewed  within, 

If  but  the  alley-ways  are  free, 
And  outlets  all  a-kin. 

And  stranger  still,  this  castle  comes 
And  goes  where'er  the  will 

Of  him  who  holds  the  rule  within 
Shall  bid,— his  hest  to  fill. 

And  wondrous  more  than  all  beside, 
This  house  the  temple  is, 

Of  Him — the  great  designer,  God,— 
And  "all  the  earth  is  his." 


Castle   Wonderful.  14$ 

Now  list,  and  of  this  castle  grand 

A  further  tale  we'll  tell, 
In  language  plain, — so  plain  that  all 

May  read  and  heed  it  well. 

The  food  we  eat  makes  all  our  blood, 
And  makes  us  children  grow  ; 

And  if  we  eat  improper  food 
It  harms  from  top  to  toe. 

We  all  have  teeth  quite  sharp  and  strong, 
With  which  to  chew  our  food, 

And  in  the  mouth  are  glands  and  glands- 
Yes,  quite  a  numerous  brood. 

These  glands  pour  out  saliva,  free, 

To  moisten  what  we  eat 
And  then  a  trap-door  at  the  throat 

Performs  a  wondrous  feat 

In  guiding  all  the  food  along 

Into  the  Esophagus, 
And  thence  to  stomach  through  a  pass 

Called  Cardiac  Orifice. 

And  here  'tis  mixed  with  Gastric  Juice, 

And  into  chyme  is  churned 
Then  through  the  gateway,  Pylorus, 

As  wiser  ones  have  learned. 


146  Castle  Wonderful. 

Tis  in  the  Duodenum  now, 
Where  it  is  mixed  with  Bile, 

And  with  the  Pancreatic  juice, 
Which  changes  it  to  Chyle. 

This  Chyle  flows  on,  and  all  that's  fit 
For  nourishment  and  growth, 

Is  taken  up  by  Lacteals, 
Or  "tubes  with  many  a  mouth." 

These  lead  to  the  Thoracic  Duct, 
Which  holds  a  spoonful  large, 

And  from  this  Duct  a  pipe  proceeds 
Through  which  it  may  discharge. 

Into  the  great  Sub-clavian  vein, 
Which  to  the  Heart  doth  lead, 

Whence  it  is  sent  into  the  Lungs, 
And*  into  good  blood  made. 

Then  back  into  the  Heart  it  flows, 
The  muscles  there  contract, 

And  pump  it  into  Arteries, 
Which  wind  to  every  part. 

We'd  like  to  tell  about  the  Bones, 
The  Ribs  and  Vertebras, 

The  Clavicle,  or  Collar-bone, 
Breast-bone,  and  Scapulae ; 


Castle  Wonderful  14? 

Of  hinge,  and  ball-and-socket  joints ; 

Of  muscles,  tendons,  skin, 
Of  lungs  and  veins  and  arteries, 

Of  nerves  and  heart  and  brain. 

But,  Ah  !  we  should  your  patience  tire, 

Were  we  the  whole  to  tell, 
So,  waiting  till  another  time, 

We  bid  you  now,  farewell. 


148  The  Rattle  of  the  Bones. 


THE  RA  TTLE  OF  THE  BONES. 


OW  many  bones  in  the  human  face? 
FOURTEEN,  when  they're  all  in  place. 

How  many  bones  in  the  human  head? 
EIGHT,  my  child,  as  I've  often  said. 

How  many  bones  in  the  human  ear? 
THREE*  in  each;  and  they  help  to  hear. 


How  many  bones  in  the  human  spine  ? 
TWENTY-SIX  ;  like  a  climbing  vine. 

How  many  bones  of  the  human  chest? 
TWENTY-FOUR  ribs  and  TWO  of  the  rest. 

How  many  bones  the  shoulders,  bind  ? 
Two  in  each  ;  one  before,  one  behind. 

How  many  bones  in  the  human  arm  ? 
In  each  arm,  ONE  ;  TWO  in  each  fore-arm. 

*Standard  authorities  give  three,  though  latest  works  say  four. 


1 50  The  Rattle  of  the  Bones. 

How  many  bones  in  the  human  wrist  ? 
EIGHT  in  each,  if  none  are  missed. 


How  many  bones  in  the  palm  of  the  hand? 
FIVE  in  each,  with  many  a  band. 


The  Rattle  of  the  Bones. 

How  many  bones  in  the  fingers  ten  ? 
TWENTY-EIGHT,  and  by  joints  they  bend. 


How  many  bones  in  the  human  hip? 
ONE  in  each; — like  a  dish  they  dip. 

How    many    bones  in  the   human 

thigh  ? 
ONE  in  each, — and  deep  they  lie. 

How    many   bones   in   the   human 

knees  ? 
ONE  in  each, — the  knee-pan,  please. 

How   many  bones  in  the  leg  from 

knee? 
Two  in  each, — we  can  plainly  see. 

How  many  bones  in  the  ankle  strong? 
SEVEN  in  each, — but  none  are  long. 


1 5  2  The  Rattle  of  the  Bones. 

How  many  bones  in  the  ball  of  the  foot? 
FIVE  in  each;  as  in  palms  were  put. 

How  many  bones  in  the  toes  half-a-score  ? 
TWENTY-EIGHT,— and  there  are  no  more. 

And  now,  all  together,  these  many  bones,  fix, 
And  they  count  in  the  body  TWO  HUNDRED 
and  Six. 

And  then  we  have,  in  the  human  mouth, 
Of  upper  and  under,  THIRTY-TWO  TEETH. 

And  we  now  and  then  have  a  bone,  I  should  think 
That  forms  on  a  joint,  or  to  fill  up  a  chink. 

A  Sesamoid  bone,  or  a  Wormian,  we  call, 
And  now  we  may  rest,  for  we've  told  them  all. 


Wholly  Hole-y. 


153 


WHOLLY  HOLE-Y. 


SEVEN  million  little  openings, 

God  has  made  upon  your  skin ; 
Mouths  of  tiny  little  sewers 

That  run  everywhere,  within. 
And  along  these  numerous  sewers 

All  impurities  must  go, 
That  are  not  bv  other  outlets, 

Carried  off  with  active  flow. 


154  Wholley  Hole-y. 

When  these  many  little  openings. 

We  call  PORES,  get  shut  quite  close, 
Through  your  frame  the  poison  wanders, 

Making  you  feel  dull  and  cross. 
It  will  make  your  lungs  grow  tender, 

And  they'll  soon  be  sore,  and  cough  ; 
It  will  make  your  stomach  feeble, 

And  your  head  ache  hard  enough. 

Then  your  heart  can  not  be  joyous, 

And  your  other  organs,  too, 
Will  get  weak,  and  be  unable 

For  the  work  they  ought  to  do ; 
Quaking  nerves  will  groan  and  quiver, 

Weary  bones  be  racked  with  pain, 
And  you'll  all  the  time  be  saying : 

"  How  can  I  be  well  again  ?  " 

HEAT  and  BATHING  widely  open 

All  the  pores,  when  discords  dire, 
Quick  flow  out  in  perspiration, 

Quenching  all  the  fever-fire. 
Raveling  out  the  tangled  tissues, 

Setting  free  the  life-blood's  flow, 
Pouring  forth  the  pent-up  poisons, 

Wakening  thus  a  healthful  glow. 


(155) 


1 56  The  Breath  o    Life. 

THE  BREA  TH  a  LIFE. 

OUR  lungs  are  formed  of  curious 

cells, 
And  tubes  to  draw  in  air, — 

And  if  we  breathe  quite 

deep  and  full 
And  take  our  needful 
\\         share, 
'Twill   keep  our  blood 

so  red  and  pure, 
Our    health    so    firm 

and  true, 

We  scarce  shall  know  what  suffering  means, 
But  joyous  feel,  and  new.       - 

But  if  we  wear  our  clothing  tight, 

The  little  cells  will  close, 
And  then  they  cannot  do  their  work, 

And  thus  our  health  we  lose  ; — 
Or  if  we  breathe  the  air  impure, 

'T  will  give  us  tainted  blood, 
While  plenty,  pure,  sun-ripened  air 

Will  make  us  glad  and  good. 


The  Girls. 
THE  GIRLS. 


THREE  little  girls  with  their  sun-bonnets  on, 
Wandered  out  for  a  walk  in  the  dew ; 

And  they  tip-toed  about,  full  of  frolic  and  fun, 
While  their  aprons  around  them  they  drew. 

But  their  little  wet  feet  brought  fever  and  cough, 
And  their  little  red  lips  grew  so  thin ; 

And  their  little  round  faces  were  haggard  enough, 
O,  I'm  sure  they'll  not  do  it  again ! 

Not  do  it,  I  mean,  without  boots  that  shall  guard 
Their  ankles  and  feet  from  the  wet ; 

For  the  care  of  the  health  brings  a  joyous  reward, 
The  neglect,  brings  us  pain  and  regret. 


158 


The  Temperance  Child, 


THE  TEMPERANCE  CHILD. 


MAMMA,  if  you'd  have  me 

Be  a  temperance  child, 
You  must  give  me  only 

Food  that's  pure  and  mild. 
Highly-seasoned  dishes 

Make  the  stomach  crave 
Stronger  things ;  and  often 

Lead  to  drunkard's  grave. 


Listen,  Children!  159 


LISTEN,  CHILDREN! 

LISTEN,  children !  when  your  head  aches, 

Do  not  eat,  but  wait  a  meal ; 
This  will  oftentimes  relieve  you, 

Making  you  right  joyous  feel. 

Listen,  children  !  when  your  stomach 
Rolls  and  tumbles,  wait  awhile  ; 

Do  not  eat,  but  drink  warm  water, 
And  you'll  soon  be  glad  and  smile. 

Listen,  children !  in  hot  water 
Put  your  feet  when  you've  "a  cold ;" 

Into  bed  now,  wrapped  in  blankets, 
And  you'll  soon  be  well,  we're  told. 

Listen,  children !  perspiration 

Is  a  saving  from  much  sin : 
Wash  and  rub,  and  dry  well  after; 

Thus  we  quell  disease  within. 

Listen,  children  !  when  you're  hungry 

Do  not  stuff  you  like  a  pig, 
But  eat  slowly  and  chew  thorough, 

Lest  your  teeth  your  grave  shall  dig. 


i6o 


Tick-Tock,   Tick-Tock. 


TICK-TO CK,  TICK-TOCK. 


TICK-TOCK,  tick-tock, 
Sings  the  pretty  cuckoo  clock ; 

Tick-tack,  tick-tack, 
Time  flies  on,  out  ne'er  comes  back. 


Tick-tock,  tick-tock, 
Sings  the  dainty  crystal  clock ; 

Tick-tack,  Tick-tack, 
Work  and  wait,  and  never  lack. 


Tick-tock,  Tick-tock, 
Sings  the  old  grandfather's  clock, 

Tick-tack,  tick-tack, 
Take  and  keep,  the  better  track. 


Curious  Trees. 


161 


THE    COW-TREE. 

SOUTH  AMERICA'S  soil 

Yields  the   towering   Cow- 
tree, 
With  sweet  milk  in  its  cells 

For  you  or  for  me ; 
Its  sap  is  the  Milk, — 

Cut  the  tree  and  it  flows ; 
Like  leather  its  leaves, 

And  its  branches  like  bows. 


1 62  Curious  Trees. 


THE   SUGAR-PINE. 

Then,  too,  my  dear  children, 

The  sweet  Sugar-pine, 
On  Pacific's  wild  coast, 

In  our  own  soil  we  find ; 
Cut  or  scoop  out  the  trunk, 

And  the  juices  ooze  forth, 
And  harden,  for  sugar, 

Like  icicles,  North. 


THE  BUTTER-TREE. 

And,  funny  enough, 

There's  a  Butter-tree,  too ; 
Its  seeds,  when  boiled  down, 

Will  make  butter  for  you. 
In  India  and  Africa 

The  Butter-tree  grows, 
With  coffee  and  spices, 

As  every  one  knows. 


Curious  Trees. 


THE  BREAD-FRUIT  TREE, 


AND  listen,  dear  children, 

In  hot  countries  too, 
The  Bread-fruit  tree  grows, 

Most  delicious  for  you ; 
Its  great  roasted  nuts, 

Like  soft,  sweet  loaves  of  bread, 
Form  most  of  the  food 

On  which  natives  are  fed. 


[64  Curious  Trees. 

And  further,  its  fibres 

Of  bark,  will  make  cloth  ; 
Its  wood,  boats  and  houses ; — 

Its  leaves  are  not  loath 
To  be  used  for  a  towel, 

A  table-cloth,  napkin; 
Its  juice  will  make  bird-lime, 

And  tinder,  its  catkin. 

THE   CLOVE-TREE. 


AND,  children,  one  more, 

Here's  a  spicy  Clove-tree, 
Growing  forty  feet  high, 

Ornamental,  you  see ; 
The  little  round  drop, 

Fixed   the  four  prongs  be- 
tween, 
Forms  the  blossom  or  flower, 

When  it's  not  picked    too 
green. 

Now  list,  while  I  tell  you, — 
Clove-trees  will  not  grow 

Except  in  hot  climates, 
Moluccas,  or  so, 


bnrious  Trees.  165 

Where  they  bloom  the  year  round, 

In  the  sunshine  or  storm, 
With  their  trunks  straight  and  smooth, 

And  their  pyramid  form. 

And  lastly,  dear  children, 

Clove-trees  never  flower 
Till  a  half-dozen  years 

They  have  grown,  maybe  more; 
Then  the  buds,  picked  by  hand, 

And  dried  quickly,  are  best ; — 
Trees  a  hundred  years  old 

Often  yield  with  the  rest. 


1 66 


The  Tree  Village. 


THE  "TREE  VILLAGE." 


The  Tree  Village.  167 

In  the  Solomon  Group  in  the  great  Southern  Sea, 

And  on  Isabel  Island  alone, 
A  tree  village  is  found,  up  the  steep,  rocky  ground, 

On  the  top  of  a  mountain  of  stone. 

So  gigantic  the  trees  that  it  is  not  with  ease 
That  the  houses  of  natives  are  built, 

For  the  stems  are  six  score  of  our  feet,  maybe 

more, 
And  you'd  think  they  must  live  on  a  stilt. 

By  a  ladder  facade  the  ascent  must  be  made, 
Formed  of  pliable  trees,  or  a  creeper 

Resembling  the  vine,  which  the  natives  entwine,— 
And  the  ladder's  drawn  up  by  the  sleeper ; 

For  these  houses  are  made  but  to  sleep  in,  'tis  said, 
When  some  enemy  threatens  ; — to  guard 

'Gainst  surprise  in  the  night,  they  are  fortified 

quite, 
With  great  stones,  to  be  thrown  at  a  pard. 

At  the  foot,  of  these  trees  are  the  day-huts  for  ease 
And  for  eating  and  dancing. and  play, 

Vet  the  huts  up  so  high  have  a  goodly  supply 
Ol  the  needful  for  night  or  for  day. 


i68 


No  Eyes. 


NO  EYES. 


THOSE  Creatures  that  live  in  the  dark, 

And  have  no  use  for  eyes, 
Are  made  without  these  organs  bright, 

Which  we  so  highly  prize. 

The  fish  in  the  Mammoth  cave, — 

Some  species  of  the  Ant, — 
Have  only  a  trace  where  eyes  should  be, 

Yet  never  know  the  want. 


No  Eyes. 

Who  knows  but  girls  and  boys, 

Kept  always  in  the  dark, 
Might  come  to  have  but  little  sight, 

And  finally  not  a  spark. 


169 


God  meant  us  to  live  in  the  light, 
He  has  poured  it  all  about ; 

Oh,  let  us  not  ourselves  destroy, 
By  shutting  His  sunshine  out. 


The  Mammoth  Cave. 


THE  MAMMOTH  CAVE. 


"  WHAT  is  the  Mammoth  Cave  ?  " 

I  hear  the  Children  say, 
Where  fishes  have  no  eyes  nor  sight, 

And  where  'tis  dark  by  day  ? 

You  all  have  seen  a  ledge 

Of  big  rocks  piled,  or  stone  ? — 

Now  just  suppose  a  door-way  made, 
Or  entrance  to  go  in. 


The  Mammoth  Cave. 

And  when  you're  in,  a  path 
Leads  on,  right  under  ground, 

And  by-and-by  you  come  to  a  place 
Like  a  room  with  walls  around. 


'Tis  jagged  and  rough  and  rude, 
'Tis  dark  and  damp  as  a  grave,  . 

But  whether  'tis  large  or  small, 
'Tis  always  called  a  cave. 

Now,  Mammoth  means  monstrous  big, 
And  the  Mammoth  cave,  we  claim 

As  the  largest  known  in  the  world, 
And  that's  what  gives  the  name. 

And  it  has  many  a  room, 

Quite  large  and  wondrous  grand, 
And  it  has  springs  and  streams  and  lakes, 

All  dark,  you  understand. 

And  here  are  fishes,  too, 

Yes,  fishes  with  no  eyes, 
That  have  lived  in  the  dark  for  ages  past, 

As  learned  men  surmise. 


The  Camels. 


THE  CAMELS. 

THE  Camels  live  in  desert  lands  ; 
Their  feet  are  made  to  walk  on  sands  ; 
They  carry  burdens  far  and  near, 
Where  neither  grass  nor  trees  appear  ; 

Where  there's  no  rain,  no  rivers,  brooks, 
No  water  anywhere  for  folks  ;  — 
But  God  has  made  in  Camels'  chest 
Peculiar  sacs,  for  He  knew  best 

What  they  must  do,  and  that  they'd  die, 
If  He  did  not  their  drink  supply. 
Before  they  start  they  drink  and  drink, 
Till  every  sac  is  full,  I  think;  — 

And  at  the  mouth  of  every  sac, 
A  muscle  strong,  but  loose  and  slack, 
Will  tighten  up  when  it  is  filled, 
So  that  no  drink  can  e'er  be  spilled. 

And  when  on  journey,  last  or  first, 
The  camel  wants  to  slake  his  thirst, 
A  bag-string  loosens,  and  out-pours 
•  Enough  to  satisfy  for  hours. 


174  The  Camels. 

The  laden  camels,  in  a  row, 

Are  called  a  Caravan,  you  know  ; — 

Sometimes  a  caravan  is  lost, 

Being  buried  deep  in  sand  and  dust. 


A  storm  of  wind,  a  Simoon  named, 
Will  sweep  across  the  desert  sand, 
When  camels,  men,  and  every  one 
Must  throw  themselves  their  knees  upon, 

And  bury  faces  in  the  earth, 
For  thus  alone  they  save  their  breath  ; 
A  fearful  thing,  but  'tis  the  best 
That  they  can  do, — now  hear  the  »-est. 


The  Camels. 

Sometimes  they're  buried  deep,  and  find 
When  they  dig  out  they're  almost  blind 
And  cannot  tell  which  way  to  go, 
And  thus  are  lost, — a  serious  woe  ! 


175 


Sometimes,  when  lost,  the  drink  for  men 
Gets  short ;  is  gone ;  they  thirst,  and  then 


They  kill  a  camel  just  for  lack 
Of  what  he  carries  in  his  sac. 


176  The  Camels. 

In  deserts  bare- and  bleak  and  drear, 
The  sun  shines  hot  through  all  the  year, 
But  many  an  Oasis  is  found, 
Or  spot  where  grass  and  trees  abound. 


And  here  is  drink,  and  here  they  rest, 
And  take  their  fill  of  what  is  best ; 
Then  travel  on  in  thankful  mood, 
With  song  and  shout !  "Allah  is  good  !  " 


Key-Notes. 


177 


KEY-NOTES. 


LIGHTLY  flowing  LIQUIDS,  we, — 

Tethered  with  our  brothers. 
Make  we  music,  melody, 

More  than  all  the  others ; — 
Lulling-,  mellowy,  nimble,  rare, 

Reveling  in  rhythm, 
Running  here  and  everywhere, 

Make  me  merry  with  'em. 


178  The  Bears. 


THE  BEARS. 

WILD  bears  are  found  all  over, 
From  Northern  lands  to  South, 

But  largest,  strongest,  where  'tis  cold 
And  fiercest  farthest  North. 


All  bears  are  fond  of  honey, 

Of  berries,  too,  and  roots ; 
They  hug  or  squeeze  their  prey  to  death, 

As  this  their  nature  suits. 


They  mate  in  June-y  weather  ; 

Their  little  ones  are  cubs ; 
They  sadly  mourn  when  mates  are  killed, 

You'd  almost  hear  their  sobs. 


They'll'try  to  feed  a  cub 
That's  lying  cold  and  dead, 

And  will  not  flee,  but  stand  and  take 
The  fatal  knife  instead. 


I8o  The  Bears. 

They  sleep  through  winter-time, — 
But  prowl  in  wildest  storms, 

With  hope  to  find  some  creature  killed, 
Or  struck  with  death's  alarms. 


The  bears  are  white,  or  black, 
Or  brown  or  grizzly  gray, — 

The  white  'mong  polar  snows  are  found, 
Where  half  the  year  is  day. 

Their  fur  is  used  for  robes, 
For  coats,  sometimes  a  muff, — 

Their  meat  is  prized  by  some  as  food, 
While  some  would  call  it  "  stuff." 


The  Bear  a  Blessing.  181 

They  nimbly  climb  a  tree, 

But  "  back  down," — for  their  frame 
Is  made  so  lungs  would  forward  press, 

If  they  head-foremost,  came. 


THE  BEAR  A  BLESSING. 


To  people  of  Kamtschatka, 
The  bear  a  blessing  proves  ; 

His  skin  forms  beds  and  coverlets, 
And  bonnets,  shoes,  and  gloves. 

His  flesh  and  fat  are  dainties, 

And  of  his  intestine, 
Is  made  a  mask  for  warding  off 

The  glare  of  Sun  in  Spring. 


1 82  The  Bear  a  Blessing. 

Tis  also  used  for  windows, 
As  substitute  for  glass  ; — 

Of  shoulder-blade  a  tool  is  made, 
That's  used  for  cutting  grass. 


Norwegians  think  the  Bear  is 

More  sensible  than  men  ; 
While  Laplands  call  him  "  Dog  of  God, 

And  dare  not  him  offend. 


Fruits. 


183 


THE  fruits  of  the  orchard  and  garden 
Are  beautiful,  luscious  and  good, — 

Partake  of  them  freely,  dear  children, 
But  eat  them  at  meals  with  your  food. 


1 84 


The  Raccoon. 


THE  RACCOON. 


COME,  child,  and  see  our  pet  Raccoon, — 
The  Raccoons  live  in  the  woods,  you  know; 
But  ours  was  caught, 
And  caged,  and  brought 
From  old  Virginia,  long  ago. 


The  Raccoon. 


[85 


Oh,  no,  you  need  not  be  afraid. 

See,  he  is  fastened  with  a  chain ; 

For  ropes  enough 

He  has  gnawed  off, 

And  he  is  hard  to  catch  again. 


He  e'en  will  climb  this  ten- 
foot  fence, 

And,  careless  where  his  feet  may 
strike, 

He  tumbles,  bang ! 
And  there  will  hang, 
His  rope  being  caught  by  vine  or 
spike. 


And  once    the    rascal 

ran  away ; 
Was  gone  for  days,  and 

maybe  weeks ; 
When  children  came, 
And  charging  blame, 
Said,  "  Your  Raccoon  has  caught  our 
chicks. 


The  Raccoon. 


The  Raccoon.  187 

So  now  he's  chained;  yet  up  he'll  climb 
The  stake  to  which  he's  fastened  tight, 

And  mutter  low, 

So  pleading,  Oh ! 
'T  would  make  you  sorry  for  him,  quite. 

Just  see  his  nose,  so  pointed,  sharp, — 
His  ears  as  keen  as  keen  can  be, — 

His  eyes  so  bright, 

So  full  of  light, 
And  see  him  leap  right  merrily  ! 

His  fur,  you  see,  is  yellowish  gray, — 
And  he  is  nearly  two  feet  long; 

He  lives  on  roots, 

And  nuts  and  fruits, 
When  he's  his  native  woods  among. 

But  here  we  give  him  bread  and  milk ; 
He  never  eats  like  dogs  or  lambs, 

But  takes  it  up 

From  out  the  cup 
With  his  fore-foot,  as  we  use  hands. 


1 88  The  Raccoon. 

You'd  laugh  to  see  him,  I  am  sure  ; 
Of  strawberries,  too,  he's  very  fond  ; 

Will  poke  around 

Till  he  has  found 
Each  one  among  the  hulls  out-thrown. 

Then,  too,    he's  fond  of 

nice  clean  clothes, — 
Will    spring    for    sheet 
hung  out  to  dry ; 
And  children  dressed 

In  very  best, 
Are  sure   to  please   his 
dainty  eye. 

No  matter  where  his  feet 

have  been, 
|!  He'll   spring    and   plant 

them,  little  pest, 
On  something  white, 
And  then  will  fight 
To  hold,  and  hide  it  in  his  nest. 


The  Raccoon. 


[89 


You've  "come  again  to  see  our  Coon"? 
Well,  he  is  gone  ;  he  plagued  us  so, 

We  sent  the  "Rac" 

To  Central  Park, 
Where  you  can  see  him  when  you  go. 

Oh  yes,  they're  glad  to  get  him,  there  ; 
They  have  no  clothes  hung  out  to 
dry  ; 

And  children  aye 
Must  stand  away, 
For  there  a  keeper's  always  nigh. 


A  "  Yes"  and  "  No"  are  common,  hard, 
But  "  yes'm,"  "  no-sir,"  choice ; — 

Let  none  but  sweet  and  gentle  words 
Flow  from  your  gift  of  voice. 


190 


The  Bank-Swallows. 


THE  BANK-SWALLOWS. 


IN  a  village  of  Bank-Swallows, 
You  will  find  so  many  a  nest, 

"  That  you  scarce  can  tell  their  number 
Nor  which  one  of  them  is  best." 


The  Bank-Swallows.  191 

In  the  sand-hill,  see  the  openings, 
Round  or  oval  odd-shaped,  some, 

Size  and  form  depending  often, 
On  how  loose  the  sand  become 


When  with  their  short  bills  they  pecked  it, 
Clinging  fast  with  claws  the  while, 

Till  they  made  an  open  door-way 
Suiting  them  in  size  and  style. 

Once  within,  they  peck  and  peck  it, — 
Sometimes  quite  a  yard  or  more, 

While  the  nest  is  snugly  builded, 
Farthest  from  the  outer  door. 

But,  so  wise  are  they,  this  archway 
From  the  entrance  to  the  nest, 

Is  inclining  ever  upward, 

That  no  rain  within  may  rest. 

So  the  pink-white  eggs  are  laid  there, 
Safe  from  harm,  till  baby-birds 

Chirrup  forth  to  take  their  places, 
'Mongst  the  self-sustaining  herds. 


192  The  Bank-Swallows. 

Smallest  of  the  swallow  species, 
Homeliest,  too,  yet  favorites  dear, 

For  their  graceful,  airy  movements, 
And  their  simple,  social  cheer. 


Found  are  they  from  North  to  South-land, 
Known  of  every  tribe  and  race ; — 

Swift  in  flight,  yet  swinging,  swaying, 
Skimming  low  from  place  to  place. 

Parent-birds  care  less  for  young  ones, 
Than  do  other  swallow-kind ; — 

Push  them  off  half-fledged  and  timid, 
Each  his  food  and  home  to  find. 

Thus  they,  many  a  time,  fall  prey  to 
Hawks  and  crows, — their  enemies  ; — 

Even  the  nest  sometimes  is  entered 
By  the  snakes  and  fleas  and  flies. 

Swallows  migrate  in  the  Winter, 
From  the  cold  to  warmer  climes, — 

Flying  back  as  Spring  approaches, 
To  the  haunts  of  former  times. 


The  Bank- Swallows. 


"  Ne'er  one  swallow  makes  a  Summer,' 

Is  a  saying  everywhere  ;  — 
But  when  swallows  come  in  myriads, 

Blessed  Summer-time  is  here. 


The  Mocking-Bird. 


THE  MOCKING-BIRD. 


THE  New  World  boasts  the  Mocking-bird 

And  whether  caged  or  free, 
His  wondrous  voice  pours  forth  in  songs 

Of  rarest  melody. 

His  notes  swell  out  and  die  away, 

As  if  a  joyous  soul 
Were  wrought  to  highest  ecstacy, 

All  music  to  control. 


The  Mocking-Bird. 

His  native  notes  are  bold  and  full, 

And  then  he'll  imitate, 
Till  it  would  seem  the  feathered  tribe 

Were  all  arrayed  in  state. 


195 


He'll  whistle  for  the  dog  or  cat, — 
Will  squeak  like  chicken,  hurt, — 

And  cluck  and  crow  and  bark  and  mew, 
So  comical  and  curt. 


While  blue-birds  warble,  swallows  scream, 

Or  hens  will  cackle  clear. — 
In  robin's  song,  the  whip-poor-will 

Pours  forth  his  plaint  so  near. 


IQ6 


The  Busy  Bees. 


Canaries,  hang-birds,  nightingales, 
He  echoes  loud  and  long; 

While  they  stand  silent,  mortified, 
He  triumphs  in  his  song. 


THE  BUSY  BEES. 


WHY  do  the  little  busy  bees 
So  dearly  love  their  queen, 

And  wait  upon  and  pay  respect, 
With  watchful  care  and  mien  ? 


The  Busy  Bees.  197 


Because  the  queen  lays  all  the  eggs, 
And  mothers  all  the  young, 

While  every  father-bee  that's  hatched 
Is  nothing  but  a  drone. 


The  working  bees  might  all  be  queens, 

If  cared  for  and  well-fed 
When  they  are  in  the  larvae  state, 

But  they're  half-starved  instead, — 


While  those  intended  for  young  queens 

Are  fattened  overmuch, 
And  nursed  and  petted  every  hour, 

That  they  full  growth  may  reach. 

For  every  different  kind  of  egg 
That  makes  the  different  bees, 

A  different  kind  of  cell  is  made, 
The  queen  directing  these. 

For  drones  or  males,  six-sided  cells, 
Quite  neat,  and  smooth,  and  nice ; 

For  working-bees  a  smaller  cell, 
Uncouth,  and  rough,  and  coarse ; 


198  The  Busy  Bees. 

While  those  for  queens  are  large  and  free, 
And  fashioned  fine  with  care, 

And  lined  with  softest,  silken  shreds 
So  daintily  they  fare. 


The  queen-bee  lays  the  worker-eggs, 

A  dozen  days,  I  ween, 
And  then  the  drones  as  many  more, 

Then  workers,  then  the  queen. 

Eggs,  two  or  three,  and  sometimes  four 

Are  laid  in  worker-cell ; 
While  drones  and  queens  have  each  but  one, 

As  oft  is  proven  well. 

The  bluish  eggs  so  close  and  warm, 
Hatch  out  with  three  days  passed ; 


The  Busy  Bees. 


199 


When  larvae,  white,  as  little  worms, 
Are  watrhed  and  fed  and  nursed. 

These  larvae,  when  some  six  days  old, 
Close  in  their  cells  are  shut, 

And  there  at. once  begin  to  weave 
A  silken  web  about. 


They  turn  and  twist  till  all  around 
Themselves  'tis  woven  quite, 

And  then  they  rest  for  twenty  days,- 
'Tis  such  a  pretty  sight. 


The  small  cocoons  of  working- 
bees, 
The  larger  ones  of  drones, 

The  large  and  plump  and  per- 
fect ones 

Of  all  the  coming  queens. 


2OO 


The  Busy  Bees. 


In  twenty  days  they  now  burst  foi  L.., 

Equipped  from  tip  to  toe, 
The  working-bees  and  drones,  I  mean, 

For  queens  come  forth  more  slow. 


r 


The  queen  cocoons  ope  from 

behind, 

And  I  will  tell  you  why, 
'Tis  that  the  reigning  queen 

may  sting 
The  others  till  they  die. 

If  mother  queen  leads   off  a 

swarm, 

A  young  queen  they  release, 
And   she  may   take   another 

swarm, 
And  leave  the  hive  in  peace. 

Another  queen  is  then  let  out, 
Perhaps  a  third  and  fourth, 

As    many    as     can    raise    a 

swarm, 
To  follow  them,  not  loath  ; 


The  Busy  Bees.  201 

But  when  no  more  can  swarm  and  go, 

Because  not  bees  enough, 
As  I  have  said,  the  reigning  queen 

Stings  all  the  rest  to  death. 


For  in  each  hive  and  everywhere, 

One  queen  alone  will  reign, 
And  any  interloper  meets 

With  sure  and  sharp  disdain. 

Of  workers,  some  are  strong  to  fly, 
While  some  are  weak  and  small, 

Unfitted  quite,  for  load  or  flight, 
Or  outside  work  at  all. 

These  last  complete  the  larvae-cells, 
And  nurse  and  feed  the  young ; 

They  mix  the  bee-bread,  cleanse  the  hive, 
And  care  for  every  drone. 

All  bees  have  stings  except  the  drones, 
And  these,  when  Autumn  nears, 

Are  stung  to  death  with  furious  wrath, 
As  by  the  book  appears. 


2O2  The  Busy  Bees. 

And  now  I  hope  you  children  all, 
Will  use  your  wondrous  power 

To  "gather  honey  all  the  day, 
From  every  opening  flower." 


The  Busy  Bees. 


203 


BBB    R    YYY 
B    U   YY* 


*  Bees  are  wise; 
Be  you  wre. 


; 


Honey-Sweet.  205 


HONEY-SWEET. 

'AH.  but  how  do  bees  make  honey?" 
Now  the  children,  eager,  ask ; 

And  we'll  try  to  give  them  answer, 
If  we're  able  for  the  task. 

See,  the  under-lip  is  lengthened, 

Like  a  trunk  or  proboscis, 
Ending  by  a  kind  of  button, 

Fringed  with  tiny  moving  hairs. 

All  along  its  length,  too,  fringes, 
Just  the  same,  are  growing  forth  ; 

And  by  means  of  these,  the  honey 
Is  conveyed  from  flowers  to  mouth. 

Then  the  bee  has  two  small  stomachs, 
In  the  first  of  .which  is  stored 

All  the  honey  it  can  gather, 

But,  when  home,  'tis  quick  out-poured. 


206  Honey-Sweet. 

Bees  have  six  legs ;  and  in  hindmost, 
There  are  baskets  found,  or  bags, 

Into  which  the  pollen  gathered, 
Is  brushed  off  by  the  other  legs. 

And  this  pollen,  for  the  bee-bread 
And  as  food  for  young,  they  use, 

Mixed  with  honey  and  with  water, — 
Swallowed  and  disgorged  like  juice 


By  the  nurses,  who  digest  it 
Partly,  for  the  larvas-food, 

Taking  care  that  each  shall  have  it, 
Just  according  to  the  brood. 


Honey-Sweet. 

Now  we'll  watch  and  see  them  working; 

See  them  brush  off  pollen-dust ; 
See  them,  too,  disgorge  the  honey, 

Into  cells  the  sweetness  thrust. 


Children,  with  your  useful  fingers,     \ 
Hands  and  arms  and  feet  and  head, 

Do  not  let  the  bees  surpass  you, 
Making  honey,  nay,  nor  bread. 


208 


What  They  Say. 


WHAT  THEY  SAY. 


THOSE  creatures  that  chew  the  cud, 
The  "  RUMINANTS  "  we  call, 

From  "  Rumen,"  or  the  stomach-pouch, 
In  which  their  food  doth  fall. 

A  "  SPECIES  "  is  a  kind 

Of  animals  or  plants; — 
Each  species  has  a  different  name, 

And  differing  traits  and  wants, — 


And  species  may  unite 
To  form  a  RACE  we  know, 

For  race  from  root  is  always  drawn, 
And  roots  must  spread  and  grow. 


What  They  Say. 


209 


That  men  and  women  are 
The  race  most  choice  and  fine, 

We  plainly  see,  and  sometimes  call, 
The  Human  Race  Divine. 


210 


What  They  Say. 


The  noble  Horse  neighs  out, 

"  I  am  the  race  Equine, 
\_    And  nearest  seem,  and  dear- 
est to 
The  'human  race,  divine.'  " 


The  Ox  and  Cow  l-o-o,  l-o-o, 
"  We  are  the  race  Bovine ; 

And  we  most  useful  are,  unto 
The  '  human  race,  divine.'  " 


What  They  Say. 


211 


The  Ass  and  Mule  bray  out, 
"Our  race  is  Assinine, 

And  very  like  us  seem  some  of 
The  '  human  race,  divine.' " 


The  Dog  bow-wows  as  race 
Canine,  Canine,  Canine ; 


212 


What  They  Say. 


While  Tigers,  Cats  and  Catamounts, 
G-r-o-w-1,  growl,  as  race  Feline. 


The  Lion,  king  of  beasts 
(Feline),  roars  "Leonine" — 

The  Lamb  that's  to  lie  down  with  him, 
Ba-a,  ba-as  for  race  Ovine. 


What   They  Say. 


213 


Fishes  in  lakes  or  seas 

or  rivers 
Sport  Piscine; 


While  birds  in  air  or  cages  close, 
Sing,  "  race  Avine,  Avine" 


All  bees  in  hives  or  wild, 
Hum  out  the  race  Apine; 


What  They  Say. 

And  reptiles  all  rejoicing  crawl 
In  race  Reptilian. 


I'VE  a  name  that's  made  up  of  three  letter*  alone, — 
That  reads  backwards  and  forwards  the  same ; 

1  speak  without  sound, — yes,  I  talk  without  tongue. 
And  to  beauty  I  lay  the  first  claim. 


A  word  of  three  syllables,  children,  now  find, 
That  holds  the  whole  twenty-six  letters  combined.* 

The  B  ing  rn  t,  John  put  some  :f 
stand  take  to  taking 

I  you  throw 


my 


I 


*  Alphabet. 

f  The  grate  being  empty,  John  put  some  coal  on. 

\  I  understand  you  undertake  to  overthrow  my  undertaking. 


Britain  s  Rulers. 


215 


BRITAIN'S  RULERS. 


OLD  BRITAIN  was  under  the  Romans 
From  fifty-five  years  before  Christ  (55  B.  C.) 

To  four  hundred  fifty-five  (455  A.  D.) 
Then  her  eight  States  on  home-rule  insist. 


216  Britairis  Rulers. 

For  many  a  year  now  they  wrangle, 
Ah  !  yes,  for  quite  three  seventy-two, 

Being  ruled  now  by  this  king,  now  that  one, 
As  each  might  the  former  o'erthrow. 

But  ever  since  eight-twenty-seven  (827), 
Britain's  rulers  have  reigned  by  descent, 

From  Egbert,  first  "  Monarch  of  England," 
To  Victoria,  daughter  of  Kent. 

A  score  reigned  and  fell. — Second  Harold 
In  ten-sixty-six  (1066),  proud;  usurps, 

But  soon  in  fierce  battle  is  conquered 
By  William  of  Normandy's  troops. 

Then  came  William  the  Conqueror,  a  Norman, 

Then  William  the  Second,  his  son  ; 
Then  Henry  and  Stephen  and  Henry, 

Then  Richard  (Cceur  de  Lion),  and  John. 

Next  Henry  the  Third,  and  First  Edward, 
Edward  Second  and  Third,  Richard,  two  (II). 

Henrys  Fourth, Fifth  and  Sixth,  and  Fourth  Edward 
Fifth  Edward,— Third  Richard,  they  rue. 

Henry  Seventh  and  Eighth,  and  Sixth  Edward, 
Then  Mary,  Bess,  James,  and  Charles  First, — 

Eleven  years  then  with  no  monarch  ; 
Second  Charles,  Second  James,  not  the  worst. 


Britain  s  Rulers. 

Then  William  and  Mary,  then  Anne, 
Four  Georges,  Fourth  William,  until   . 

Came  Victoria,  long  live  her  queenship, 
For  she  wields  her  proud  scepter  with  skill. 


217 


218 


Our  Land. 


OUR  LAND. 


A  SHIP  sailed  over  the  blue,  salt  sea, 

For  a  man,  Columbus  called, 
Had  thought  that  the  world  was  round,  and  he 

Of  the  old  ideas  had  palled. 


So,  in  fourteen  hundred  and  ninety-two, 
He  sailed  across  from  Spain, 

And  found  our  continent  so  new — 
The  "  land  beyond  the  main." 


Our  Land.  2ig 

But  jealousies  and  rivalries 

And  bickerings  begun, 
And  Christopher  Columbus  now 

With  grief  was  overborne. 

Americus  Vespucius  soon 

Our  shores  came  sailing  round, 

And  stole  the  naming  of  the  land 
Columbus  sought  and  found  ; 

While  he,  Columbus,  lay  in  chains, 

And  died  in  sore  distress ; 
Yet  won  for  us  who  tread  his  land, 

A  lasting  blessedness. 


YOUNG  I-know  is  saucy  and  pert, 
And  thinks  himself  wondrously  wise ; 

But  I-know,  the  second,  steps  in  all  so  curt, 
And  you'd  think  that  each  might  lose  his  eyes. 


Signs  of  the  Zodiac. 


SIGNS  OF  THE  ZODIAC. 


THE  annual  path  of  the  Sun, 

The  Ecliptic  is  called,  as  we  see, — 

And  a  belt,  eight  degrees  (8°),  on  each  side, 
The  Zodiac  ever  will  be. 


The  principal  planets  all  seem 

To  move  in  the  zodiac  lines, 
While  the  belt,  of  itself,  is  cut  up 

Into  twelve  equal  parts,  called  the  Signs. 


And  these  signs  were  first  named,  we  are 
From  their  fancied  resemblance  to  beasts, 

Which  astronomers  thought  they  could  see 
In  the  stqrs,  from  the  West  to  the  East. 


Signs  of  the  Zodiac, 


221 


There    is     Aries,    the 
Ram,— then  the  Bull, 


Which  is  Taurus,-then 
Gemini,  Twins ; 

Then  Cancer,  a  Crab — 

and  then  Leo, 

A    Lion, — and    Virgo, 

Virgin. 


Next  Libra,  the  Bal- 


And  Scorpio,a  Scor 


Sagittarius,  the  Ar- 


Capricornus,a  Goat's 


ance  or  Scales, 


pion  (with  sting), — 


cher  or  Arrow, — 


horn  we  bring. 


222 


Signs  of  the  Zodiac. 


Aquarius,  the  Bear- 


And  Pisces,  or  Fish 


er  of  Water, — 


from  the  sea, — 


All  together  make  twelve, — and  a  wonder 
It  is,  that  these  fancies  should  be. 


Grapho*  223 


GRAPHO. 


HILDREN,    you    ought 
to  know 

That     G  rap  ho    can     but 
mean 

To  picture  out,   or  tell 
about, 

Some  object  or  some  thing. 

• 
Now  Geo  means  the  earth  ; 

And  so  Geography 
Means  picturing  out  or  telling  about 

This  earth  of  ours,  you  see. 

As  Phono  means  a  sound, 

Phonography  so  terse, 
Just  pictures  out  or  tells  about 

The  sounds  of  the  human  voice. 


224  Grapho. 


As  Photo  means  the  light, 
Photography  must  mean 

A  picturing  of  the  light  thai  falls 
Upon  a  thing,  I  ween. 

Now  Astro  means  the  stars  ; 

And  hence  Astrography 
Means  to  describe  or  tell  about 

The  stars  we  all  may  see. 

And  then  Astronomy 
Tells  all  the  various  laws 

That  govern  or  relate  to  stars  ; 
Of  their  motions  tells  the  cause. 

Now  Bios  means  a  life  ; 

And  so  Biography 
Means  writing  out  the  life  of  one, 

Which  we  may  often  see. 

Zoos  means  animal ; 

And  your  Zoography 
Describes  the  animals  that  live 

On  land  or  in  the  sea. 


Grapho. 

Then  there's  Stenography, 
A  writing  narrow,  small, 

Or,  as  so  many  call  it  now, 

"Short-hand,"  which  tells  it  all. 


22J 


And  then  Xylography — 

Engraving  upon  wood  ; 
And  Crystallography  as  well, 

That  tells  of  crystals  good. 

But  these  are  ographies 

Enough  for  now,  you  think  ; 

Yet  when  you're  older,  wiser  grown, 
You  many  more  will  link. 


The  Stop  Family, 


THE  STOP  FAMILY. 

"  I'M    a   dot    with    a    quirk," 

whispers  little  Miss  Comma, 
"  And    you'll    please    not    to 

pause  long  for  me." 
"  I'm  a  dot  over  Comma,"  says 

Miss  Semicolon, 
"And   you'll   pause   twice   as 

long  where  I  be." 

"  I  am  dot  over  dot,"  Master 

Colon  speaks  out, 
"You'll  pause  longer  for  me 

than  they  say :  " 
"  I  am  one  dot  alone,"  Period 

says  with  a  tone 
That  means  :  "  Stop  when.you 

see  me — obey  !  " 


The  Stop  Family.  227 

"  I'm  a  hook  over  dot,"  says  Dame  Interrogation, 
"  I  ask  questions ;  but  answer?     O,  nay !  " 

"  I'm  a  splash  over  dot,"  says  old  Sir  Exclamation ; 
"  I  show  wonder,  delight,  or  dismay  !  " 

"  I'm  a  line  east  and  west,"  says  Miss  Dash,  "  and  I'm 

best 

At  changing  of  subjects,  you  know."- 
"  I  am  Dash's  small  sister,"  says  Hyphen,  and  kissed 

her; 
"  I  unite  words,  or  syl-la-bles,  so." 

Then  said  Marks  of  Parenthesis  (carefully -curved), 
"  We  inclose  what  you  well  may  omit ; 

But  we're    often  displaced  by  Miss  Dash  (in  your 

haste), 
Whom  you  sadly  mistake  for  a  wit." 

Now  Apostrophe,  Caret,  Quotation,  exclaimed : 
"  We  are  commas  and  hyphens  combined  ; 

We  leave  out,  or  put  in,  or  reveal  to  your  kin 

What  you've  said, when  their  backs  you're  behind." 

Then  Star,  Daggers,  Parallels,  Paragraph  too, 
Started  up,  staring  wildly  about, 


228  The  Stop  Family. 

With  "  We  rise  to  explain  on  the  margin,  'tis  plain, 
Or  to  point  a  new  paragraph  out." 

Of  the  whole  Punctuation,  each  knew  his  own  station. 

Each  did  his  own  duty,  we  see  ; 
If  we  do  ours  as  well,  and  of  their's,  too,  can  tell, 

We  shall  soon  learn  good  readers  to  be. 


"  ALL  is  not  gold  that  glitters ; " 
Yet  think  not,  children  mine, 

That  all  that  glitters  is  not  gold  ; 
The  true  must  ring  and  shine. 


Little  Mischief. 


LITTLE  MISCHIEF. 

LITTLE  Master  Mischief 

Lives  in  Nellie's  eye, 
Sitting  in  the  corner, 

Peeping  out  so  sly ; 
Now  he's  crossed  the  snow-ground 

And  in  chamber  blue, 
Thinking  he  is  hidden, 

Peek-a-boos  at  you. 

Now  he  drops  the  curtain, 

Sure  that  he  is  hid, 
But  you  see  him  dancing 

Even  on  the  lid. 
Now,  the  curtains  lifting, 

You  can  see  he's  crept 
To  the  inner  chamber, 

Where  the  love-light  slept. 

Watching  now  his  moment 

He  pops  out,  and  see, 
Mamma's  spools  and  thimble 

Quickly  disagree. 


Little  Mischief.  231 

Shall  we  punish  Mischief? 

Better  teach  the  child 
How  to  hold  and  lead  him, 

Running  now  so  wild. 

Would  she  like  her  playthings 

Scattered  here  and  there, 
When  she  had  arranged  them? 

Would  she  think  it  fair? 
Would  she  like  her  puzzle 

Portions  of  it,  lost  ? 
Would  she  like  her  dishes 

Everywhere  uptossed  ? 
Would  she  like  her  apron 

With  a  missing  string, 
Mamma  hunting,  meanwhile, 

Thread  and  everything  ? 

Nellie,  learn  the  lesson : 

Be  to  others  true, — 
Always  do  as  you  would 

Have  them  do  to  you. 


Little  Mischief. 


This  the  dear  Lord's  precept, — 
This  the  Golden  Rule,— 

This  the  highest  lesson 
In  our  Nellie's  school. 


E  gentle  and  loving, — • 
Be  kind  and  polite  ; 
Be  thoughtful  for  o*b? 
Be  sure  and  do  r'ght. 


Grandma's  Canary.  233 


GRANDMA'S  CANARY. 


GRANDMA  loves  her  birdy, 
And  when  he  gaily  sings, 

She  will  laugh  and  chat  with  him, 
At  which  he  hops  and  springs. 

Fearing  though,  that  birdy 

Might  not  understand, 
Grandma  from  the  toy-shop, 

Brought  a  whistle  grand. 

Tuning  now  the  whistle, 

To  his  sweet  bird-note, 
He  in  singing  back  to  her, 

Nearly  burst  his  throat, 


234 


Grandma  s  Canary. 


Birdy,  free  outflying, 

Often  comes  to  light 
On  Grandma's  tip-of-fin- 

ger 

Or    chair-back,   pretty 
sight ! 

From  her  hand  she  feeds 
him, 

And  he  oft  will  take 
From  her  mouth  the  sugar, 

With  a  merry  shake. 

Yester-morn  the  window 
Being  open  wide, 

Birdy  thought  it  brighter 
On  the  outer  side. 

Grandma  mourningsadly, 
Shed  of  tears  a  few, 

Then     she     prayed     the 

Father, 
"Show  me  what  to  do." 

Soon  she  set  his  cage  out 

On  the  window-sill, 
Saying,  "  Birdy  '11  come  now, 
Oh,  I'm  sure  he  will !  " 


Grandmas  Canary.  235 

Then  she,  hopeful,  praying, 

"  Bring  my  birdy  home," 
Took  the  sweet  bird-whistle, 

Playing  "Birdy,  come." 

And  the-  birdy  hearing, 

Quickly  came  and  lit 
On  the  cage,  and  shortly 

Flitted  into  it. 

Thankful  now  was  Grandma, 

To  the  dear  Lord,  who, 
Listening  to  her  prayer 
Taught  her  what  to  do. 


A  Babys  Faith. 


A  BABYS  FAITH. 


OUR  Maude  was  dancing  with  her  doll, 
In  childhood's  chattering  glee ; 

A  brimming  bucket  standing  by, 
The  maiden  failed  to  see, 

And  skipping,  tripped  ;  the  bucket  tipped  ; 
The  water,  cool  and  clear, 


A  Baby's  Faith.  237 

Was  rudely  swayed,  but,  undismayed, 

And  quickly  kneeling  near, 
Both  little  hands  she  spread  above 

The  water's  merry  surge. 
"  And  what's  she  doing  there,"  we  ask? 

No  answer,  till  we  urge, 
And  then,  *'  Why  mamma,  don't  you  know 

God  stilled  the  waves  so  wild, 
With  His  great  hand  ?     And  so  I  thought, 

Although  I'm  but  a  child, 
That  I  might  still  these  little  waves 

With  my  two  hands  so  small ; 
And  mamma,  see,  they're  quiet  now ! 

But  where's  my  baby-doll?" 


HEALTH  AND  HAPPINESS. 

MAMMA  keeps  her  children 

In  the  happiest  mood 
When  she  feeds  them  only 

With  the  simplest  food. 
Viands  clog  and  pain  them, 

Then  they  fret  and  cry, 
And  then  when  she  whips  them, 

Everything's  awry. 


238  The  Meadow  Quails. 

THE  MEADOW  QUAILS. 


OVER  in  the  meadow  where  the  men  make  hay, 
In  an  elm-tree  shadow  on  a  bright  summer  day, 
Two  speckled  quails  ponder  as  to  what  will  be  best, 
Should   the   stout  mower   blunder   on   their  pretty 
home-nest. 

But  a  cloud  in  a  minute  from  her  great  white  bed 
Threw  a  big  silver  bonnet  o'er  the  sun's  golden  head 
And  the  quails,  though  they  wondered  would   their 

home  be  beset, 
Cried   aloud,   and  it  thundered :     "More  wet!  more 

wet!" 


The  Meadow  Quails.  259 

Then  the  great  sturdy  yeoman  coming  close  to  the 

nest, 
With  the  heart  of  a  true  man  beating  soft  in   his 

breast, 
Saw  the  parent-quails  watching,  with  what  fear  who 

can  tell? 
Saw  the  baby-quails  hatching,  hardly  out  of  the  shell. 

And  who  knows  but  he  thought  of  his  own  precious 

baby — 

His  dear  little  daughter  in  her  mother's  arms,  maybe  ? 
For  he  quickly  made  over  that  portion  of  meadow 
With  the  sweetest  of  clover,  and  the  softest  of  shadow 

To  the  quails  who  all  summer  lived  alongside  the  lane, 
Ever  warning  the  farmer  of  the  forth-coming  rain  ; 
For  long  ere  it  thundered — and  I  hear  the  cry  yet — 
They   would  call  as  they   wandered,   "More   wet ! 
More  wet !" 


DIDN'T-THINK  is  a  heedless  lad 
And  never  takes  the  prize  : 

Remember-well  wins  every  time. 
For  he  is  quick  and  wise. 


240 


The  Little  Housewife. 


THE  LITTLE  HOUSEWIFE. 


THIS  little  girl  knows  how  to  make 
A  batch  of  bread,  or  loaf  of  cake ; 
She  helps  to  cook  potatoes,  beets, 
To  boil  or  bake  the  fish  and  meats. 
She  knows  to  sweep  and  make  a  bed, 
Can  hem  a  handkerchief  for  Ned ; 
In  short,  a  little  housewife  she, 
As  busy  as  the  busy  bee. 


The  Little  Housewife.  241 

Let  every  girl  learn  how  to  do 

All  things  that  help  to  make  life  true ; 

That  serve  to  keep  the  home-hearth  bright ; 

That  o'er  life's  burdens  throw  a  light. 

And  then  if  she  may  never  need 

Herself  to  labor,  she  may  lead 

Her  household  in  the  better  way, 

That  eft  shall  bring  a  brighter  day. 

• 

The  boys,  too,  let  them  learn  to  know 
Of  household  duties,  and  to  sew ; 
For  oft  a  button,  oft  a  rip, 
By  sewing  they  may  save  a  "fip." 
Yes,  let  them  know  that  "  woman's  work" 
With  many  a  turn  and  many  a  quirk, 
Is  not  "a  play  with  straws,"  as  some. 
Would  seem  to  think.     Tis  making  home. 


242 


Mother-Love. 


MOTHER-LOVE. 


"  AR-G-O-O,  ai  g-o-o,"  is  the  song  of  songs, 

To  the  loving  mother's  ear  ; 
"  Ar-g-o-o,  ar-g-o-o,"  these  baby  notes 

Fill  all  the  house  with  cheer. 


The  baby's  laugh,  the  baby's  coo. 

The  baby's  every  move, 
Is  music,  joy,  and  grace  to  h/^r, 

Who  is  rich  in  mother-love. 


Mother-Love.  243 

The  precious  pearl  that  is  first  unlocked 

By  Nature's  mystic  key, 
From  out  the  baby's  jewel-box, 

Makes  mamma's  jubilee. 

The  day  of  baby's  mastership 

To  raise  himself  upright, 
An  era  marks  along  the  way, 

By  mother-love  made  light. 

Her  mother-voice  lures  on  his  step, 

Her  care  protects  from  harm  ; 
Wnile  deeper  into  her  heart  he  glides, 

With  every  opening  charm. 

And  when  he  "ma-ma"  sweetly  says, 

Or  "pa-pa,"  in  her  breast 
His  throne  is  fixed  forevermore, — 

This  prince  of  babes  confessed. 

When  threads  of  thought  begin  to  spin, 

And  webs  of  mind  to  weave, 
When  kindling  soul  looks  out  at  eyes 

That  know  not  to  deceive, — 

The  mother's  holiest  task  to  keep 

Her  darling  pure  and  true  ; 
Her  constant  care,  her  watchful  prayer, 

Alone  can  guide  him  through 


244  h  Snows  !  It  Snows  ! 

The  maze  his  youthful  feet  must  tread, 

And  if  perchance  he  fall, 
Her  baby  still  in  him  she  sees, 

Her  love  can  cover  it  all. 


O,  the  wondrous  love  the  baby  brings, 

Is  far  beyond  our  ken  ! 
We  only  know  that  the  fount  once  oped, 

Can  never  be  dry  again. 


IT  SNOWS!  IT  SNOWS! 

IT  snows !  yes,  it  snows  !  and  the  children  are  wild, 
At  thought  of  the  fun  in  the  snow-drifts  up-piled  ; 
The  boy  with  his  first  new  boots  is  in  sight, 
And  the  wee  baby-girl,  with  her  mittens  so  bright. 
They  are  tramping  and  tossing  the  snow  as  they  rua, 
And  laughing  and  shouting,  so  brimful  of  fun  ; 
'.While  the  ten-year-old  twins,  in  a  somersault  mcwxi, 
^Have  measured  their  length  from  the  barn  to  ^e 

wood. 

A  dozen  times,  yes,  or  it  may  be  a  score, 
Till  their  cheeks  are  as  red  as  the  roses,  and  more- ; 
Then  the  elfin  of  twelve  and  the  boy  of  fifteen, 
Are  pelting  each  other  with  snowballs  so  keen, 
That  we,  who  are  older,  forget  to  be  staid, 


//  Snows  !  It  Snows  !  245 

And  shout,  each  with  each,  as  the  youngsters,  arrayed 
In  feathery  garments,  press  on  or  retreat, 
Determined  to  win,  nor  acknowledge  defeat, 
And  the  snow  tumbles  down  with  such  beauty  and 

grace 

That  the  air  seems  filled  up  with  soft, bridal-veil  lace, — 
Through   whose    meshes    the    sunbeams  shall  kiss 

Mother  Earth, 

Till  the  buds  and  the  blossoms  are  bred  into  birth. 
But  the  children,  at  length,  tired  out  with  their  play, 
And  stamping  the  snow  from  their  feet  by  the  way, 
Come  slipping  and  stumbling  and  scrambling  along, 
While  the  big  brother  catching  the  baby-girl's  song, 
"Oh,  my  finders  are  told  !"  gives  her  now  a  gay  toss, 
The  golden  hair  streaming  like  distaff  of  floss  ; — 
And  so  cheery  the  group  that  is  ranged  round  the 

board, 
That  for  snow,  blessed  snow  !  we  all  thank  the  good 

Lord. 


An  Old  Saw.  247 


AN  OLD  SA  W. 

11  IF  you'll  break  the  first  brake 
And  will  kill  the  first  snake, 
You'll  be  sure  to  go  through 
With  what  you  undertake." 

Thus  our  Grandma,  quaint  but  queenly, 
Taught  us  grand-bairns  one  by  one  ; 

And  the  lesson  relished  keenly 
Filled  each  spring-time  full  of  fun. 

For  the  watchful  eyes  were  eager, 
And  the  flying  feet  must  roam 

Till  they  every  nook  beleaguer 
Round  the  old  ancestral  home. 
*  #  *  *  * 

But  'twas  not  the  broken  brakelet 
That  wrought  good  for  after  years  ; 

Not  the  killing  of  the  snakelet, 
But  the  conquering  of  fears, 

And  the  patient,  wistful  watching, 

Educating  thought  and  eye, 
Made  the  brakelet  and  the  snakelet 

Types  of  weal  for  bye  and  bye. 


248 


The  Dandelion  Blossom. 


THE  DANDELION  BLOSSOM. 


IN  the  spring  when  the  grass 
Had  sprung  up  in  the  pass, 
And  the  meadows  with  velvet  were  green, 
We  children  would  tease, 
"  O,  dear  mother,  please 
Let  us  doff  shoes  and  stockings, 
(Ah  !  naught  gave  us  shockings), 
And  barefooted  run  o'er  the  leas, 
Aye,  barefooted  run  o'er  the  leas." 

And  mother,  so  wise, 
Looking  into  our  eyes, — 


The  Dandelion  Blossom.  249 

"  There's  a  snowdrift  down  under  the  hill! 
But  when  you  will  bring  me, 
Yes,  when  you  will  fling  me 
A  dandelion  blossom 
To  wear  on  my  bosom 
You  may  barefooted  run  as  you  will, 
Aye,  barefooted  run  as  you  will.'' 

So  for  "  guineas  of  gold," 
O'er  the  dandelion-wold, 
We  hunted  afar  and  anear ; 

And  with  shouts  of  delight 
We  all  greeted  the  sight 
Of  the  fully-blown  flower 
Presaging  the  shower 
Of  bright  blossoms  that  brought  us  such 

cheer, 

Aye,  the  blossoms  that  brought  us  such 
cheer. 


FEAR  naught  save  that  which  slimes  thee  o'er 

With  falsity  or  fraud  : — 
Let  thine  own  soul  stand  clean  and  white 

Before  its  maker,  God. 


250  Sunshine. — Our  Ethel- 


SUNSHINE. 

THE  sun  shines  on  forever 

Though  clouds  may  hide  his  face ; 
His  brightness  and  his  glory 

The  whole  wide  world  may  trace 
For  clouds  are  naught  but  vapor 

Whose  fleecy  veils  unfold, 
And  softest  silver  lining 

We  then  with  joy  behold. 


OUR  ETHEL. 

OUR  Ethel  was  not  always, 
As  people  may  have  thought, 

A  goody-goody  little  girl 

Who  never  mischief  wrought. 

Oh,  no,  our  darling  Ethel, 
The  precious  little  woman, 

Although  so  very  dear  to  us, 
Was  most  intensely  human. 

She  waded  into  mischief 
Like  ducklets  into  water, 

And  kept  us  ever  on  the  watch 
With,  "Daughter  !" — "  Oh,  my 
Daughter ! " 


Our  Etfcel. 

She  took  the  ribbon  from  her  hair 

The  kitten  to  bedeck, 
Then  brought  its  tail  between  its  legs 

And  tied  it  tail  and  neck. 


25i 


She  took  her  dolly  to  the  pump 
And  pinned  it  on  the  spout, 

And  then  with  all  her  might  and  main 
She  pumped  the  water  out. 


"  Oh,  little  Haynth  tho'  thelfith,' 
She  cried,  because  her  cousin 


Our^Ethel. 

Besought  one  pillow,  while  she  hugged 
Them  all,  a  half  a  dozen. 

She  found  a  bell  that  tinkled, 
And  fastened  it,  for  fun, 


'Round  kitty's  neck — then  clapped  her  hands, 
And  cried,  run !    Kitty,  run  ! 

She  fain  would  pick  the  eyes  out, 

Of  little  baby-brother, 
'*  To  find  the  pretty  balls  like  those 

In  fishes'  eyes,  and  other." 


Our  Ethel.  253 

And  then  she'd  fold  her  little  hands 

So  quaintly  and  demurely, 
You'd  think  she  must  be  quite  a  saint, 

Or  not  a  sinner,  surely. 

And  thus  her  pranks  from  day  to  day 

And  hour  to  hour  repeated, 
Would  bring  the  thought,  "  Tis  all  for 
naught, 

Our  aims  are  all  defeated." 


Nay,  nay,  not  so, — the  years  roll  by, 

And  Ethel's  baby-mischief 
Becomes  the  power  that  leads  her  kind, 

For  by  her  force  she  is  chief. 


THE  SIX  SISTERS. 

ONE  of  us  e'er  lives  in  dates, 
One  in  every  peach  awaits  ; 
One  in  pine-apple  is  found, 
One  in  orange,  bright  and  round, 
One  in  plum,  so  luscious  sweet, 
And  our  last  in  strawberry — treat. 


254 


The  Little  Girls  Letter  to  God. 


THE  LITTLE  GIRLS'  LETTER  TO  GOD. 


Now  Susy's  sujh  a  naughty  dirl, 

And  I  ain't  any  better, 
And  so  we  thought  we  just  would  wite 

The  dear  dood  Dod  a  letter. 

And  tell  him  all  about  our  bad, 
Betause  he'd  have  to  know, 

Or  else  he  touldn't  mate  us  dood, 
And  so  we  told  him  how, 


The  Little  Girls  Letter  to  God.  255 

Once  when  I  spit  on  Susy's  dwess 

Then  Susy  spit  on  me ; 
And  when  I  bwote  her  dolly's  arm 

She  smashed  my  Twistmas-twee. 


Then  when  I  pushed  her  off  the  wall, 
She  spattered  me  with  mud ; 

When  I  pulled  up  her  tolumbine, 
She  snapped  my  wed  wose-bud 


256  The  Little  Girls  Letter  to  God. 

I  tailed  her  "  old  dwanmother  Dwill  " 
And  she  tailed  me  "  old  maid," — 

And  then  we  stwatched  each  others'  eyes 
Down  in  the  darden  shade. 


And  then  my  ma  and  Susy's  ma 
Both  said  the  only  way 

Would  be  to  teep  us  little  dirls 
Apart  in  all  our  play. 


The  Little  Girls  Letter  to  God.  257 

And  so  the  bid,  brown  date  was  shut, 
And  that  was  such  a  bother, — 

'Tause  Susy's  yard  was  on  one  side 
And  mine  was  on  the  other. 

But  we  tould  peet  thwough  all  the  twats, 

And  tiss  us  thwough  the  hole 
Where  the  bid,  udly  knot  tame  out, 

As  bid  as  Susy's  bowl, — 

For  I  love  Susy  awful  much, 

And  Susy  she  loves  me, 
And  so  we  told  the  dear,  dood  Dod 

We'd  twy  dood  dirls  to  be. 

So  now  when  we  just  feel  the  bad 

A-tomin'  in  our  heart, 
We  both  wun  home  and  shut  the  date 

And  teep  ourselves  apart. 

And  in  a  minute  all  the  dood 
Tomes  bat, — and  then  our  plays 

Seem  nicer  yet,  and  we  fordet 
The  naughty, — naughty — ways. 


Grandma  s  Lessons. 


Grandma 's  Lessons.  259 


GRANDMA'S  LESSONS. 

"  Tis  guilt  to  wear  the  garb  of  sin, 
Though  all  be  innocent  within," 
These  little  girls  heard  grandma  say, 
And  wondered  if  'twere  half  in  play. 
But  when  they're  wiser,  older  grown, 
And  when  the  world  to  them  is  known, 
They'll  learn  to  shun  even  seeming  ill ; 
They'll  learn  with  grace  their  lives  to  fill, 
And  thank  dear  grandma  o'er  and  o'er, 
For  this,  and  many  lessons  more. 
"  'Tis  guilt  to  wear  the  garb  of  sin, 
Though  all  be  innocent  within." 


"  If  you  do  well  by  others'  ills, 

You'll  do  right  well,"  she  said, 

When  we  would  come  and  tell  about 

The  naughtiness  of  Ned. 

"  Now  children,  if  you  shun  the  bad 

You  may  in  others  find, 

And  never  let  yourself  be  rude, 

Or  naughty,  or  unkind, 

You'll  learn  to  do  by  others'  ills 

Right  well,"  dear  grandma  said, 

"  And  in  the  way  that's  good  and  true, 

Your  youthful  feet  shall  tread." 


z6o  My  Little  Four-  Years-Old. 

MY  LITTLE  FOUR-YEARS-OLD 

Tellmg  Dolly  what  she  will  say  to  her  birthday  friends 


I'M  four  years  old  to-day,  and  I 
Can  talk  enough  for  ten  birth-days, 

And  I  shan't  rhyme  it,  neither  ; — 
For  little  girls  can't  do  it  nice. 
No  matter  what  they  think,  and  so 

They  needn't  try,  no,  never. 

I'm  glad  you  all  are  here,  and  now, 
With  all  our  dollies  in  a  row, 

I'm  sure  we'll  have  good  times; 
And  when  we  have  our  aooles.  grrapes. 
And  nuts  and  figs  and  patty-caKes,, 

Who'll  care  for  silly  rhymes  ! 


Handsome  Dick. 


261 


HANDSOME  DICK. 

r.'f^/i'l  \\\  ;tiJ.i.,,rl 


ELZIE'S  kitty,  white  as  snow, 
Loves  his  little  mistress  so, 
That  he'll  come  at  her  command, 
Lift  his  paw  to  shake  her  hand, 
Bow  his  head  and  kneel  to  her, 
Rumpling  all  his  milk-white  fur; 
Many  another  pretty  trick, 
Too,  he's  learned,  our  Elzie's  Dick. 


262  Handsome  Dick. 

Well,  the  Church-Fair  coming  on, 
Elzie  thought,  "  What  can  be  done 
By  a  little  girl  like  me, 
In  the  cause  of  charity  ?" 


Mam'a  told  her  she  would  show 

Her  some  fancy  work  to  do, 

Which  a  half-a-dozen  dimes 

Sure  would  bring ; — so,  many  times 

Elzie  made  her  fingers  fly 

Neat  and  nice  to  form  the  "tie." 

Now  our  Elzie,  large  and  fine, 

Looks  like  twelve,  though  only  nine — 

And  the  "  tie"  when  quite  complete, 

Was  so  small,  though  choice  and  neat, 

That  it  could  not  be  denied, 

Elzie  was  not  satisfied. 

So  she  shook  her  curly  head, 

As  with  curious  smile  she  said  : 

"  If  I  were  a  little  girl, 

Like  Nannette  or  Cousin  Pearl, 

This  wee  '  tie'  might  then  appear 

Just  the  thing, — but  now,  I  fear, 

Looking  at  the  *  tie'  and  me, 

We  shall  seem  to  disagree. — 


Handsome  Dick. 


Now,  Mamma,  don't  answer  quick; 
Stop  and  think, —  my  snowy  Dick 
At  the  Fair  might  win  some  pence, 
By  his  wise  obedience ; 

And  his  pretty  winsome  ways 

Being  shown  through  all  the 
days ; — 

And,     dear     Mamma,   then   I 
should 

Feel  I'd  done  the  best  I  could." 

Quickly     Mamma     took     the 

thought, 

And  a  royal  cage  was  brought ; 
Cushion      made      of     scarlet 

bright, — 

For  our  Dicky,  pure  and  white, 
Thus  was  wont  to  perch  and 

sit, — 

And  a  collar  blue  we  fit 
To  his  neck,  when  loyal,  true, 
He   presents   red,  white,  an<$ 

blue. 

So  the  cage  is  placed  within 
A  sly  corner,  free  from  din, 
And  with  tickets  five  cents  each, 
Elzie  sought  her  end  to  reach. 


264  Handsome  Dick. 

11  Handsome  Dick !  weight  fifteen  pounds" — 
Wkispers  Elzie  on  her  rounds ; 
"  What  is  'Handsome  Dick'  ?  "  they  say  ; 
"  Come  and  see,  please, — step  this  way ;" 


And  once  seen  they're  glad  to  tell 
Others  of  white  Dick,  as  well ; — 
For  the  cat,  as  knowing  now 
He  must  make  his  courtliest  bow. 


Handsome  Dick.  265 

Did  his  best  to  help  along 

Elzie's  plan,  the  friends  among. 

Upon  his  cushion  he  would  stand, 

Or  sit,  as  Elzie  might  command  ; 

Then  down  upon  his  blanket  lie 

And  be  wrapped  up  like  baby-bye ; 

Would  lap  his  milk,  or  dainty,  sip, 

And  shake  his  pretty  under-lip, 

Thus  showing  teeth  as  white  as  pearl, — 

Then  round  and  round  would  quickly  whirl, 

Till  each  one  seeing,  cheerful,  said  : 

"  For  that  five  cents  I'm  sure  we're  paid.' 

Thus  the  three  days  passing  by, 
Which  the  Fair  must  occupy — 
Dollars  ten — ah,  yes  !  and  more, 
Elzie  holds  within  her  store ! 
Dues  for  cage  and  tickets  met, 
And  the  ten  is  Elzie's  yet, — 
Which  unto  the  Fair  she  gave 
With  an  air  so  joyful-grave, 
That  it  seemed  a  spirit  bright, 
Nestled  in  her  heart  so  light ; — 
And  a  happier  child  than  she, 
We  may  never  hope  to  see. 


266 


Bessie's  Kisses. 


BESSIE'S  KISSES. 


KISSES,  kisses,  raining,  raining, 

On  her  lips,  her  cheeks,  her  brow, 
Till  she,  wearied,  "  Daughter,  darling, 

Mamma's  had  enough  for  now." 
"Ah  !  but  Bessie  has  so  many  ! " — 

Naught  the  pretty  prattler  daunts  ; 
Mamma  pleading,  baby  shouting, 

"Ah  !  but  Bessie's  more'n  she  wants/ 


The  Dinner-Pot.  267 

THE  DINNER-POT. 


THE  homeliest  things  are   highest  worth, 

The  dinner-pot's  a  treasure 
Compared  with  diamonds,  chains  and  rings, 

Which  serve  alone  for  pleasure  ; — 
Enwreathe  the  dinner-pot  with  flame, 

And  fill  it  with  love's  mixings, 
And  it  possesses  charms  beyond 

All  gold  or  fancy  fixings. 

And  then,  our  bony  frame-work,  too, 

So  stiff  and  hard  and  homely, 
Will  serve  when  plumpness  all  is  gone, 

And  lost  is  all  that's  comely. 
Fling  beauty,  grace  and  sweetness  round, 

Festoon  your  lives  with  flowers, 
But  ne'er  forget  that  plainest  things 

Are  life's  most  precious  dowers. 


268  Nanny  s  Play. 


NANNY'S  PLA  Y. 

OUR  Nanny  helped  her  mother 

In  many  a  childish  way, — 
She  picked  up  chips  to  feed  the  fire, 

And  "  played  that  it  was  play." 

She  loved  the  hens  and  chickens 

And  fed  them  day  by  day, 
And  dubbed  them  each  with  quaintest 
name, 

And  this  was  always  play. 

She  hunted  through  the  big  barn 

For  hens'  nests  in  the  hay, 
And  fetched  the  eggs  right  carefully, 

And  this  again  was  play. 

She  donned  her  mother's  dust-cap 

And  danced  about  so  gay, 
And  planned  how  she  would  house-keep, 

And  this  was  "  truly  play." 


Nanny's  Play. 


269 


With  basin  full  of  water 

She  scrubbed  the  door  one  day, 
And  splashed  about  till  mother  dear 

Must  work  instead  of  play. 


270 


Nanny's  Play. 


With  brush  and  broom  a-sweeping 
She  fluttered  like  a  fay  ;— 

The  broken  cup  soon  told  her 
'Twas  anything  but  play. 


Nanny's  Play. 

She  romped  around  the  hay-field 
And  shook  the  new-mown  hay, 

And  with  her  baby-rake  she  gleaned 
The  meadow  for  her  play. 

She  ran  to  pick  the  berries 
That  ripened  by  the  way, 

And  with  her  basket  full  to  brim 
This  was  the  best  of  play. 

So  many  things,  so  many, 

Far  more  than  I  can  say, 
Our  Nanny  in  her  childhood 

Has  "  played  that  it  was  play." 


271 


272 


Nanny  s  Lessons* 


NANNY'S  LESSONS. 


OUR  Nanny  was  but  four  years  old 
When  mother  said,  "My  love, 

Your  needle  learn  with  skill  to  use, 
It  will  a  blessing  prove." 

So  Nanny  learned  to  "  overhand," 
And  "  hem  "  so  fine  and  neat, 

To  "  backstitch,"  "  run,"  and  many  a  join 
That  she  could  scarce  repeat. 


Nanny 's  Lessons.  273 

She  learned  to  "  catch-stitch"  and  to  "cross," 

To  "  patch  "  and  "  darn,"  as  well, 
To  "  gather,"  "  plait,"  — "  box-plait " 

and  "  side," — 
To  "  feather-stitch  "  and  "  fell." 


She  sewed  the  buttons  fast,  and  "  worked 

The  buttonholes  "  so  neat, 
That  many  an  eld  accomplishes 

With  less  success,  the  feat. 

"Be  sure  your  thread  is  smooth  and  strong, 

A  goodly  knot  or  two, 
A  double  stitch  for  first,  and  then 

A  fastening  sure  when  through  ; 

"And  thus  your  seams  will  never  rip, 

Your  sewing  never  wear, — 
Like  buttons  loose  and  hooks  awry, — 

A  slip-shod,  shiftless  air." 

All  this  and  more  her  mother  taught, 

And  Nanny  conned  it  o'er 
Till  she  was  versed  in  all  the  arts 

That  point  the  seamster's  lore. 


Nanny  s  Lessons.  275 

Her  ninth  birthday,  and  mother  said 

"  You're  old  enough  to  care 
For  all  your  clothing  now,  my  child, 

Except  the  best  you  wear. 


"And  here,  within  this  little  chest, 

And  in  this  drawer  wide, 
You'll  keep  them  ranged  so  neat  and  nice, 

Whatever  may  betide. 

"A  place  for  this,  a  place  for  that, 

Each  garment  grouped  aright, 
That  you  may  lay  your  little  hand 

Upon  it,  day  or  night. 

"  No  garment  must  be  laid  within, 

Except  it  ready  be,       t 
To  don  and  wear,  for  thus  you  spare 

Us  trouble,  — you  and  me." 

And  Nanny,  pleased  with  mother's  trust, 

Accepted  it  with  pride, 
And,  in  lier  heart,  the  lessons  learned 

Forevermore  abide. 


276  Nanny  s  Ride. 


NANNY'S  RIDE. 

OUR  Nanny  oft  in  fancy 
Soared  up,  the  earth  above, 

And  sailed  the  great  air-ocean 
With  skylark  or  with  dove. 

And  in  this  fashion  musing, 
One  sunny  summer's  day, 

Half-watching  mother  mending 
And  baby-brother  play, 

Without  a  word  of  warning 
The  old  umbrella  came, 


Opened  upside  down  before  her, 
And  whispered  soft  her  name. 


Nanny's  Ride. 


277 


"Come,  Nanny  you've  been  longing 
For  a  ride,  arid  now's  your  time  : 

Jump  in, — be  quick!     And  careful,  too, 
For  I'm  o'erpast  my  prime." 

So,  springing  in,  she  sat  there 

As  happy  as  you  please, 
And  through  the  open  window, 

Was  borne  upon  the  breeze. 

The  sparrows  eyed  her  keenly, 
The  doves  left  off  their  cooing, 


And  children,  cause  they  couldn't  go, 
Set  up  a  grand  boo-hoo-ing. 

She  bobbed  against  a  clothes-line, 
And  all  the  wash  went  flying : 


278 


Nanny's  Ride. 


The  good  dame  cried, 
"A  witch!  a  witch! 
The  saints  forefend 
my  drying." 

And  next  she  got  en- 
tangled 
In   the   telegraphic 

wires; 
And  when  she  jerked 

away  from  them, 
She  bumped  against 
the  spires. 


She  hit  the  tallest  chimneys, 
And  set  the  smoke  a-curling, 

Then  knocked  a  flag-pole  all  awry, 
The  stars  and  stripes  a-whirling. 

Now,  far  beyond  the  city, 
With  mountains  in  her  face, 

An  eagle  pounced  to  catch  her, 
But  she  quickly  won  the  race. 


Nanny 's  Ride. 


279 


Within  a  mountain  cavelet, 
Two  baby-bears  so  young, 

Smiled  on  her  as  she  passed  them, 
And  greetings  to  her  flung. 

She  heard  the  thunder  rolling. 
And  saw  the  lightning's  glare, 

From  clouds  away  beneath  her, 
While  'round  her  all  was  fair. 


280 


Nanny's  Ride. 


Nanny  s  Ride. 


281 


She  met  a  cherub  driving 

A  brace  of  butterflies, 
While  dancing  on  a  gorgeous  one, 

Away  in  wonder-skies. 


She  saw  an  angel  lighting 
The  stars  up  one  by  one, 

As  he  balanced  on  a  cloudlet 
That  was  left  behind  the  sun. 


She  heard  angelic  music, 

Far  up,  the  blue  along, 
And  knew  'twas  Mary  crooning  o'er 

Her  first  sweet  cradle-song. 


282  Nanny  s  Ride. 

She  saw  such  wondrous  pictures, 

So  beautiful  and  grand, 
Such  skyscapes  and  such  cloudscapes, 

Such  waterscapes  and  land. 


But  now  the  fluttering  insects 
All  round  her  plainly  told 

That  she  was  nearing  Mother  Earth 
Far  o'er  the  daisy-wold  ; 

And  startled  at  the  distance 

From  home, — the  baby  screaming 

And  mother  still  a-mending  there, 
Told  Nanny  she'd  been  dreaming. 


The  Race. 


283 


THE  RACE. 


A  HOP,  a  skip,  and  a  gambol, 
A  run,  a  tumble,  a  scramble, 
An  up-and-a-going, 
A  laughing-and-crowing, 
A  weal-and-a-woe-ing, — 
Yes,  a  race  for  a  ball 
Or  a  toy  we  may  call, 
This  race  that  is  human, — 
For  child,  man,  or  woman, 
Tis  one  and  the  same, 
A  mysterious  game 
That  is  played  by  us  all, 
And  we  each  get  a  fall ; 
And  so  many  it  may  be 
That  forever  a  baby 
We  feel  in  the  race 
For  a  name  and  a  place. 


284  Our  Kenneth. 

OUR  KENNETH. 

Written  for  our  pet,  as  indicative  of  what  he  should  be  but  is  not. 

KNOW  ye  our  little  black-eyed  boy? 

His  name  is  Kenney  Stone  ; 
Now  listen,  for  he  always  speaks 

In  such  a  gentle  tone. 

He  never  says  "  I  will !  "  "  I  wi'n't !  " 
He's  never  rough  nor  rude, 

But  always  bows  with,  "  Thank  you  ; 

please ; " 
And  tries  to  be  so  good. 

Our  Kenneth  never  kicks  nor  strikes, 

Nor  makes  an  ugly  face  ; 
He  never  slides  down  banisters, 

Nor  puts  things  out  of  place. 

He  never  says  a  naughty  word, 
Nor  tells  a  big,  big  story  \ 

O,  no,  nor  even  a  little  one, 
To  make  us  all  so  sorry. 


Our  Kenneth. 


285 


286  Our  Kenneth. 

Our  Kenneth  is  a  gentleman, 
He  will  not  scratch  nor  bite ; 

He  never  speaks  to  any  child, 
A  word  that  is  not  right. 

Our  Kenneth  never  slams  the  doors 
Nor  stamps  along  the  halls ; 

He  goes  away  when  he  is  told, 
And  comes  when  mamma  calls. 

Our  Kenneth,  everybody  loves, 
Because  he's  so  polite, — 

Our  darling  little  black-eyed  boy, 
Our  Kenney  Stone  so  bright. 


To  My  Ten-Years  Old. 


287 


TO  MY  TEN-YEARS-OLD. 

ON  thy  cheek  the  roses  lie  ; 

Lilies,  on  thy  forehead  fair; 
Violets  blue,  in  each  bright  eye, 

Sunbeams,  in  thy  golden  hair. 

Pearls,  within  thy  coral  lips, 
Ears  and  nostrils,  crystal-clear, 
Dainty,  sea-shell  finger 

tips, 

Form,  a  sylph  might 
love  to  wear. 


Yet  no  beauty,  thou,  my  child, 
Save   as    filled    with   inward 

grace ; 
Save  a  spirit,  undefiled, 

Warm  thy  heart  and  wreathe 
thy  face. 


£88 


Dare  tc  Say  No, 


DARE  TO  SA  Y  NO. 


DEAR  children,  you  are  sometimes  led 
To  sorrow,  sin,  and  woe, 


Dare  to  Say  No,  289 

Because  you  have  not  courage  quite, 
And  dare  not  answer,  No. 

When  playmates  tell  you  this,  or  that 

Is  "very  nice  to  do," 
See  first  what  mamma  says,  or  if 

You  think  'tis  wrong,  say  No. 

Be  always  gentle,  but  be  firm. 

And  wheresoe'er  you  go, 
If  you  are  asked  to  do  what's  wrong, 

Don't  fear  to  answer,  No. 

False  friends  may  laugh  and  sneer  at  you. 

Temptations  round  you  flow, 
But  prove  yourself  both  brave  and  true, 

And  firmly  tell  them,  No. 

Sometimes  a  thing  that's  not  a  sin, 

You  might  be  asked  to  do, — 
But  when  you  think  it  is  not  best, 

Don't  yield,  but  answer,  No. 

True  friends  will  honor  you  the  more, 

Ah,  yes,  and  false  ones  too, 
When  they  have  learned  you're  not  afraid 

To  stand  and  answer,  No. 


290  Dare  to  Say  No. 

And  when  temptations  rise  within, 
And  plead  to  "  come,"  or  "go," 

And  do  a  wrong  for  "just  this  once" 
Be  sure  you  answer,  No. 

For  when  you  once  have  done  a  Wrong, 
The  Right  receives  a  blow, — 

And  Wrong  will  triumph  easier  now, 
So  haste  and  answer,  No. 

There's  many  a  little  boy  and  girl, 

And  man  and  woman  too, 
Have  gone  to  ruin  and  to  death 

For  want  of  saying,  No ! 

So,  young  or  old,  or  great  or  small, 
Don't  fail,  whate'er  you  do, 

To  stand  for  Right  and  nobly  dare 
To  speak  an  honest  No. 


Ask  Mother. 


291 


ASK  MOTHER. 

Y ES,MY  DARLING,  when  you  question, 
I  will  answer,  simple,  plain, 
Just  the  Truth  ; — and  when 

pi  a}7  mate 

Tells  you  anything  again, 
Come  to  Mother,  she  will  tell 

you, 
Yes,  and  tell  you  always 

true, 
For   she    knows     what's 

low  and  sinful, 

And  what's  right  and 

wrong  for  you. 


TELL  MOTHER. 

'Tis  wrong,  my  dear,  to  do  a  thing 

That  mother  must  not  know  ; — 
And  when  your  playmates,  old  or  young, 

Shall  tell  you  thus  to  do, 
Leave  them  at  once,  and  quickly  come 

To  your  dear  Mother's  side, 
And  tell  her, — for  she'll  know  what's  wrong, 

And  she  will  be  your  guide. 


292 


Dorit  Tell  a  Lie. 


DON'T  TELL  A  LIE. 


DON'T  tell  a  lie,  dear  children, 
No  matter  what  you  do, — 


Don't   Tell  a  Lie.  293 

Own  up  and  be  a  hero, 
Right  honest,  brave,  and  true. 

You'd  better  have  a  whipping 

Each  day  than  tell  a  lie, — 
No,  not  a  "white  one,"  even, 

They  lead  to  blackest  dye. 

The  rod  but  hurts  your  body, 
While  lies  deform  your  soul ; — 

Don't  mind  the  present  smarting, 
Keep  the  spirit  pure  and  whole. 

But  I  am  sure  that  mamma 

And  papa,  too,  will  try 
To  help  you  children  tell  the  Truth, 

Nor  drive  you  to  a  lie. 

They  will  not  punish  harshly, 
Nor  when  they're  angry,  quite ; 

Nor  promise,  and  then  fail  to  do, — 
But  always  lead  you  right. 


294  Little  Moses. 

LITTLE  MO'SES. 


IN  the  Talmud  you  will  find  it, — 
In  the  quaint  and  curious  lore 

Of  the  ancient  priests,  or  Rabbins, 
Whom  the  people  bowed  before  ; 

Find  the  story  of  an  infant 
Sitting  on  the  kingly  .knee  ; 

"Little  Moses,"  Pharaoh  calls  him, — 
Crowing  loud  in  baby  glee. 


Little  Moses,  295 

And  the  banqueters  were  cheering, 
When  the  infant  with  a  spring, 

Reached  and  caught  the  crown  that  rested 
Upon  Pharaoh's  head,  as  king. 


Caught  the  crown,  and  quickly  placed  it 
On  his  own  unwitting  head  ; 

But  the  king  and  all  his  princes, 
In  the  deed  a  meaning  read. 

Then  spake  Balaam,  the  magician, 
"  Not  because  the  child  is  young, 

Hath  he  done  this  thing  unknowing ; — 
He  hath  mocked  thee,  he  hath  flung 

"  In  thy  face  thy  kindly  dealings; 

Such  hath  ever  been  the  way 
Of  his  people  ;  a  usurper — 

Let  his  blood  be  spilled  this  day." 

But  the  winsome  baby-fingers 
Toying  with  the  kingly  beard, 

Won  the  edict:  "Call  the  judges  ; 
Let  their  counselings  be  heard." 


296  Little  Moses. 

So  the  judges  and  the  wise  men 
Came  with  Jethro,  Midian's  priest, 

Who,  with  wish  to  save  young  Moses, 
Thus  his  majesty  addressed  : 

"If  it  to  the  king  be  pleasing, 

Fetch  two  plates,  and  we  will  hold 

Them  before  the  babe,  a-brimming, 
One  with  fire,  and  one  with  gold. 

"  If  the  child  shall  grasp  the  golden, 
He  hath  done  this  knowingly  ; 

He  will  trample  on  thy  statutes  ; 
For  thine  honor  he  must  die. 


"  But  if  he  shall  grasp  the  other, 
Know,  O  King,  he  knoweth  nought 

Of  a  royal  crown  or  scepter, — 
And  his  life  with  fire  is  bought." 

These  wise  words,  the  king  approving, 
Plate  of  fire  and  plate  of  gold, 

Courtiers  brought,  and  screams  of  anguisr. 
Soon  the  childish  choosing  told. 


Little  Moses. 


297 


For  he,  baby-like,  had  thrust  it 
In  his  mouth  ;  and  though  he  flung 

Quick  the  coal,  he  ever  after 

Spake  with  slow  and  stammering  tongue.* 


HARMING  'tis  to  see 

hildren  who  agree ; 

haste,  and  choice,  and  cheery, 

himing  in  so  merry, 

hildlike,  ever ; 

hurlish,  never. 

hampioning  the  good  ; 

hallenging  the  rucle  ; 

hary  as  the  dove  ; 

hief  in  Jesus'  love. 


*Ex.  iv:  10. 


,98 


The  Children  s  Railroad. 


THE  CHILDREN'S  RAILROAD. 

OLD  TIME  has  built  a  Railroad, 

On  which  you  children  speed 
To  a  land  of  light  and  plenty, 

Or  a  land  bf  darksome  need  ; 
And  soon  you'll  come  to  a  meadow, 

Where  two  tracks  mark  the  way,. 
But  they'll  run  close  up  alongside 

For  many  and  many  a  day. 


And  one  is  strewn  with 

roses, 
While  one  looks  bleak 

and  bare, 
With  now   and   then   a 

berry-bush, 
And  a  violet  here  and 
there;— 


The  Children's  Railroad. 

On  one  you'll  find  companions 
Who  but  for  pleasure  seek, 

While  friends  along  the  other, 
Will  words  of  wisdom  speak. 


Be  careful  in  your  choosing, 

For  if  you  take  the  Right, 
You  will  travel  in  the  shadow 

Of  the  Rock  that  shields  at  night ; 
"T  will  lead  through  greenest  pastures 

Where  softest  brooklets  flow, 
And  land  you  at  a  Station 

That  is  full  of  cheer  and  glow. 


300  The  Children  s  Railroad. 

On  the  other  track,  the  roses 

Are  backed  by  sharpest  thorns ; 
While  berries  always  nourish, 

And  the  violet  but  adorns  ; — 
You  will  stumble  into  sluices, 

And  what  is  worse  than  all, 
Your  self-respect  and  conscience 

Grow  weak  with  every  fall. 

Yes,  if  you  choose  the  other 

That  looks  so  bright  and  gay, 
You'll  find  the  bridges  broken, 

And  the  road-bed  washed  away ; 
And  when  you  near  the  Station, 

You'll  switch  to  a  fearful  leap, 
That  will  hurl  you  into  darkness, 

And  bury  you  in  the  deep. 

But  those  who  choose  the  Right  one 

Grow  manly,  womanly,  true  ; 
God's  love-light  shines  upon  them, 

And  falls  as  heavenly  dew  ; — 
They  grieve  at  your  wild  folly, 

And  will  gladly  help  you  back, 
If  at  any  curve  or  turning 

You  seek  the  trusty  track. 


The  Children  s  Railroad. 


301 


But  ah  !  the  scars  you're  wearing, 
From  thorns  that  pierced  you  sore, — 


3O2  The  Children's  Railroad. 

And  the  ditches  in  which  you've  fallen, 
That  were  strewn  with  roses  o'er ; — 

And  the  joys  you've  lost,  unnumbered, 
That  spring  from  good  deeds  done ; 

And  the  fruits  you've  missed,  unmeasured, 
That  by  others  have  been  won. 


Though  friends  may  be  indulgent, 

And  loved  ones  even  forget, 
Yourself  can  never  banish 

The  memories  that  beset. 
You  will  wish  you  had  never  traveled 

The  way  that  leads  to  death  ; 
You-  will  wish  you  had  never  reveled 

In  the  viper's  venomed  breath. 


So  beware  which  track  you  follow ; 

And  again  I  say,  beware  ! 
The  False  is  strewn  with  roses, — 

The  True  looks  bleak  and  bare  ; 
But  this,  't  is  plain,  is  only 

That  youthful,  artless  eyes 
Are  open  to  show  and  glamour, 

But  see  not  deep  nor  wise, 


The  Children  s  Railroad. 

To  Truth  then,  children,  listen, 

Am'  cultivate  the  seed 
That  in  your  hearts  God  planted, 

To  serve  your  every  need  ; — 
Yes,  heed  the  voice  within  you, 

And  follow  it  all  the  way, 
For  it  will  help  you  choose  the  road 

That  leads  to  endless  day. 


303 


304        The  Phcebe's  Nest  in  The  Old  Well-  Wheel 

THE   PHCEBES  NEST  IN    THE   OLD    WELL- 
WHEEL. 

"  Phoe-be,  phoe-be,"  why,  'tis  a  little  bird, 
"  Phoe-be,  phoe-be,"  singing  the  pretty  word ; 
"  Phce-be,  phoe-be," "brown  feathers  cover  him, 
Gray  breast,  with  blackish  stripes  scattered  all  over 
him. 

"  Phoe-be,  phce-be,"  here  comes  his  little  mate, 
"  Phoe-be,  phoe-be,"  both  on  the  garden  gate, 
"Phce-be ,  phce-be,"  loving  now  they  trill, 
Planning  to  build  a  nest  in  the  old  well-wheel. 

"  Phoe-be,  phoe-be,"  now  the  nest  is  begun; 
"  Phce-be,  phoe-be,"  now  it  is  nearly  done  ; 
"  Phoe-be,  phce-be,"  how  will  the  birdies  feel, 
When  the  egg  is  dropped    down,  with  turn  of  the 
wheel. 

"  Phce-be,  phce-be,"  children  are  sorry  now, 

"  Phoe-be,  phoe-be,"  birds  are  all  a-worry  now, 

"  Phce-be,  phoe-be,"  laying  eggs  day  by  day, 

While  the  turn  of  the  wheel  ever  drops  them  away. 


The  Phcebes  Nest  in  The  Old  Well-  Wheel.       305 

"  Phce-be,  phoe-be,!>  never  the  lesson  learned, 
"  Phce-be,  phoe-be,"  year  by  year  they  returned, 
"  Phoe-be,  phoe-be,"  building  persistently, 
Where  the  turn  of  the  wheel  dropped  the  eggc  all 
away. 

Phoe-be,  phoe-be,  yet  not  in  vain  you  wrought, 
Phoe-be,  phce-be,  for,  by  your  folly  taught, 
Phce-be,  phce-be,  children  plan  so  to  build, 
That  no  eggs  may  be  lost  by  the  turn  of  life's  wheel. 


306 


Mabel's  Snow-Feathers. 


MABELS  SNOW-FEATHERS. 

LISTEN,  children,  while  I  tell  you 
What  our  merry  Mabel  said 

When  she  saw  the  feathery  snow-flakes 
Tumbling  down  about  her  head. 


Clapping  hands  and  dancing  gaily, 
"  Mamma,  mamma,  come  and  see  ! 

Come  and  see  the  feathers,  mamma, 
Soft  and  white  as  they  can  be !  " 


Mabel's  Snow-Feathers,  307 

Standing  then  a  moment,  pondering 
As  it  were,  whence  came  the  snow, 

Little  face  so  wise  and  thoughtful, 
Mabel  cried  :  "  Oh,  now  I  know, 

"  There  are  lots  of  eider  ducklets 

Up  in  Heaven,  above  the  blue, 
And  they're  dropping  off  their  feathers, — 

And  such  downy  feathers,  too ! 

"  See  them  frolic  with  each  other ; 

See  them  kiss  as  fast  they  fly  ; 
See  them  make  believe  they  are  going  to, 

Then  go  gaily  flitting  by. 

"  See  them  on  the  Spruce  and  Balsam, 

Pile  up  little  soft,  fat  hands ; 
See  their  many  plump,  white  cushions; 

See  them  wave  their  fairy  wands. 

"  See  the  showers  of  flying  feathers 
Whisking  'round  in  merry  moods; 

See,  the  telegraph  their  perch  is, — 
Oh,  I'm  sure  they're  almost  birds ! " 


308 


Mabel's  Snow-Feathers. 

Now  she  fancies  she  can  hear 

them 
Whisper  of  their  ducklet 

birth  ;— 
Hear  their  soft  and    wean-y 

quacklings, 
As  they  tumble  down  to  earth. 

Now  she  listens  for  the  jingle 
Of  the  sleigh-bells  they  will 
bring ; 

Now  she  sees  the  fly  ing  horses, 
Prancing  gaily  at  their  ring. 


Lovely  are  these  fleecy  feathers, 
Dainty  in  each  rare  device ; 

All  unlike  our  ducklet  feathers,— 
White  and  soft,  but  cold  as  ice. 


Mabel's  Snow-Feathers. 


309 


Yet  they  cover,  warmly  cover 

Mother  Earth  so  bleak  and  brown  ; 

Cover  her  with  feathery  mantles, 
Comforters  of  eider-down. 


3io 


Forest  Trees. 


FOREST  TREES. 


HILDREN,  have  you 

seen  the  budding 
Of  the  trees  in  valleys 

low? 
Have    you    watched     it 

creeping,  creeping 
Up  the  mountain,  soft 

and  slow  ? 

Weaving  there  a  plush- 
like  mantle, 
Brownish,  grayish,  red- 
dish green, 
Changing,  changing,  daily, 


hourly, 

Till  it  smiles  in  emerald  sheen  ? 


Have  you  watched  the  shades  so  varied, 

From  the  graceful,  little  white  birch, 
Faint  and  tender,  to  the  balsam's 

Evergreen,  so  dark  and  rich  ? 
Have  you  seen  the  quaint  mosaics 

Gracing  all  the  mountain-sides, 
Where  they,  mingling,  intertwining, 

Sway  like  softest  mid-air  tides  ? 


Forest  Trees.  311 

Have  you  seen  the  autumn  frostings 

Spread  on  all  the  leafage  bright, — 
Frostings  of  the  rarest  colors, 

Red  and  yellow,  dark  and  light? 
Have  you  seen  the  ^"lory  painted 

On  the  mountain,  valley,  hill, 
When  the  landscape  all  illumined, 

Blazons  forth  His  taste  and  skill  ? 

Have  you  seen  the  foliage  dropping, 

Tender  cling,  as  loth  to  leave 
Mother-trees  that  taught  them  deftly, 

All  their  warp  and  woof  to  weave  ? 
Have  you  seen  the  leafless  branches 

Tossing  wildly  'gainst  the  blue  ? 
Have  you  seen  the  soft  gray  beauty 

Of  their  wintry  garments'  hue? 

Have  you  thought  the  resurrection 

Seen  in  Nature  year  by  year, 
Is  a  symbol  of  our  rising 

In  a  higher,  holier  sphere? 
Children,  ye  are  buds  maturing; 

Make  your  autumn  rich  and  grand, 
That  your  winter  be  a  passage 

Through  the  gates  to  Glory-land. 


312 


Childhood  Fancies. 


CHILDHOOD  FANCIES. 


THE  twilight  gray  is  falling, 
Now  list  and  you  shall  hear 

The  footsteps  of  the  sylphid  fays, 
This  is  their  hour  of  cheer. 


List  to  the  gentle  patter 

On  each  wee  blade  of  grass, 

As  it  is  bent,  and  back  again, 
Whene'er  the  fairies  pass. 


Childhood  Fancies.  313 

Upon  the  tips  of  grasses 
They  cross  the  meadows,  lawn, 

And  laugh  and  dance  and  play  and  sing, 
From  twilight  hour  till  dawn. 


They  light  their  myriad  lanterns, 
And  hang  them  in  the  arch 

Of  blue  that  canopies  o'erhead, 
And  by  their  light  they  march. 

They  sometimes  miss  a  fairy, 

And  take  a  lantern  down 
To  search  for  her,  and  mortals  say ; 

"  A  fire-fly  flits  around." 

On  leaves  they  hang  their  diamonds, 
Their  pearls  in  every  flower; 

Their  gauzy  veils  upon  the  grass, 
They  spread  for  fairy  bower. 

Their  slender  wings  are  hanging 

On  every  shrub,  across  ; 
Their  seats  are  dainty  cushion-beds 

Of  green  and  springy  moss. 


314  Childhood  Fancies. 

Their  shrubbery  of  coral 
Is  gray  and  scarlet-tipped  ; 

Their  hair  upon  the  maize  is  hung 
Each  Summer,  when  'tis  clipped. 


The  mushroom  forms  their  table, 

Their  dishes,  acorn  cups  ; 
The  ant-hills  are  their  barracks  high  ; 

Their  cannon,  "hemlock  pops." 

Their  scarfs  of  plush  are  lying 
On  ripening  grape  and  peach  ; 

Their  sea-shells  'neath  the  apple  trees, 
Each  Spring  bestrew  their  beach. 

They  paint  the  leaves  in  Autumn ; 

They  make  a  tiny  rink 
Of  every  puddle,  fen,  and  dike, 

And  skate  from  nave  to  brink. 


They  brown  the  nuts  in  forests, 

The  burrs  they  open  wide ; 
They  lure  the  feathers  from  the  clouds. 

And  pile  them  up,  to  slide. 


Childhood  Fancies. 


315 


They  build  along  the  way-side 

Their  fairy  palisades, — 
The  "  hoar-frost "  some  have  christened  it, 

And  hold  West  Point  parades. 


They  sketch  upon  the  windows 
Such  pictures  as  no  power 

Of  man  can  ever  execute, 
And  on  them  pearl-dust  shower. 


Childhood  Fancies. 

All  these  and  myriad  fancies 

That  never  can  be  told, 
My  childhood  days  so  new  and  sweet, 

In  memory  infold. 

But  mother  softly  whispers, 
"  Tis  not  the  Fays,  my  dears, 

Tis  old  Dame  Nature's  song  of  songs, 
The  '  Music  of  the  Spheres.' 

"  List  ever  for  it,  children, 

Twill  bring  you  close  to  God ; 

Each  sound  but  echoes  Him  who  made, 
Each  motion  is  His  nod." 


ASTE  not,  want  not,"  be  your 

motto, — 
Little  things   bring  weal  or 

woe  ; 
Save  the  odds  and   ends,  my 

children, 

Some    one    wants    them,    if 
not  you. 


Lizzie  and  the  Angels. 


317 


LIZZIE  AND  THE  ANGELS. 


LITTLE  Lizzie,  thoughtful,  earnest, 
Springing  up  at  break  of  day, 

Thinks  she  heard  the  angels  whisper 
Softly,  as  she  knelt  to  pray. 


3 1 8  Lizzie  and  the  A  ngels, 

"  Yes,  they  whispered  to  me,  mamma, 
And  they  told  me  lots  of  things, — 

And  they  said, '  O  Lizzie,  Lizzie, 
'Tis  your  temper  trouble  brings !' 

"  Then  they  said  :    '  You,  child,  can  never 

Be  a  woman  good  and  true, 
If  you  let  your  fiery  temper 

And  your  own  will  govern  you  ; 
And  they  told  me  '  even  Jesus 

Said,  '  Thy  will,  not  mine,  be  done,' 
And  that  if  I  grew  up  wilful, 

All  my  life  I  can  but  mourn. 

"  And  they  told  me,  too,  dear  mamma, 

That  if  I  were  called  to  die, 
I  could  not  be  glad  in  heaven, 

For  no  heaven  in  me  would  lie. 
Now,  what  shall  I  do,  dear  mamma, 

That  I  may  be  good  and  true  ? 
How  shall  I  my  temper  govern, 

And  my  wicked  will  subdue  ?" 

"  Lizzie,  darling,  if  you  listen, 
You  will  hear  a  voice  within, 


Lizzie  and  the  Angel. 


319 


That  will  tell  you  every  moment, 
What  is  Right,  and  what  is  Sin. 

But  you  must  not  disobey  it, 
Or  it  will  grow  faint  and  weak; 

You  must  watch  to  catch  its  whispers, 
Hurry  when  you  hear  it  speak. 


320 


Lizzie  and  the  Angel. 


''  For  if  you  should  linger  waiting, 
There's  another  voice  will  say  : 

*  Never  mind,  nobody  '11  know  it, 
Even  though  you  disobey.' 

And  this  other  voice,  this  Tempter, 
Sure  will  lead  you  to  the  wrong, 

While  the  voice  of  the  good  angel 

Fills  your  life  with  cheer  and  song. 


"In  your  play  and  in  wour  working, 

You  the  Golden  Rule  must  heed ; 
Do  by  others  as  you'd  have  them 

Do  by  you,  if  in  their  stead. 
Better  far  to  bear  and  suffer 

Than  to  do  a  wrong,  my  child  ; 
Better  give  up  every  pleasure, 

Than  to  be  by  sin  beguiled. 


"In  your  eating,  in  your  dnnking, 

In  your  clothing,  in  your  talk, 
You  can  glorify  the  Father, 

Or  in  wickedness  can  walk. 
For  your  little  body,  Lizzie, 
God  has  said,  '  Keep  holy,  pure/ 


Lizzie  and  the  Angel.  32 1 

Tis  His  '  temple'  He  has  lent  you, — 
Keep  its  every  gate  secure, 

"  What  you  eat  and  drink  makes  muscles, 

Bones  and  nerves,  and  brain,  and  thought ; 
And  by  food  and  drink  improper, 

Fearful  evils  may  be  wrought. 
Much  of  meat  and  spice  and  candies, 

Makes  your  blood  impure,  and  then 
All  your  body's  in  a  jangle, 

And  your  temper's  wild  again. 

"  And  your  clothes  if  tight  or  heavy, 

Help  to  make  your  blood  impure  ; 
Help  to  make  you  weak  and  wicked, 

Into  evil  ways  to  lure. 
Foul  air.  too,  your  blood  will  poison  • 

Sitting  up  too  late  at  night ; 
All  these  things  will  make  it  harder 

For  you,  child,  to  do  the  right. 

"  Bad  companions  also  lead  you 
To  the  wrong,  and  tempt  you  sore 

To  defy  the  voice  within  you 
Till  it,  grieved,  will  speak  no  more, — 


322  Lizzie  and  the  Angel. 

Do  not  hesitate  to  tell  them 

You  cannot  their  ways  approve. 

Do  not  yield  to  their  enticements; 
Tell  them  •  No! '  with  firmness,  love. 


"  Do  not  ever  let  a  single 

Word  unkind,  nor  coarse,  impure, 
Pass  your  lips ;  for  these  will  lead  you 

Toward  the  bad,  you  may  be  sure. 
Do  not  let  a  playmate  tell  you 

Anything  that  must  be  kept 
As  a  secret  from  your  mother ; — 

Something's  wrong,  so  don't  accept. 

"Always  tell  a  thing  precisely 

As  it  is  ;  don't  try  to  make 
It  more  fine  and  entertaining  ; 

Tell  the  truth  for  Truth's  dear  sake. 
Never  lay  a  finger,  darling, 

On  what  is  not  quite  your  own, 
Lest  temptation  overtake  you, 

And  your  honesty  be  gone. 

"  In  the  silence  of  your  chamber, 
When  no  human  being's  nigh, 


Lizzie  and  the  Angel.  323 

Don't  forget  that  God  is  with  you, 

Watching  with  all  seeing-eye  ; 
Don't  forget  that  He  will  know  it 

If  you  do  a  thing  that's  wrong ; 
Keep  yourself  so  pure  and  perfect, 

That  your  life  shall  be  His  song. 

"  Now,  dear  child,  the  blessed  Jesus 

Always,  when  you  wish  it,  hears, 
Giving  help  to  those  who  ask  it, 

Lightening  woes,  and  lessening  fears. 
Follow  always  His  example  ; 

Take  His  precepts  for  your  guide  ; 
Learn  to  trust  Him,  for  He's  walking 

Ever  loving  at  your  side." 


324 


Child-Memories. 


CHILD-MEMORIES. 


WAS  ever  so  sweet  the  clover, 
Was  ever  so  clear  the  brook, 

As  my  child-days,  over  and  over, 
Found  fresh  in  the  dear  home-nook? 


Child-Memories.  325 

Was  ever  such  grace  of  motion, 

Or  ever  such  trills  of  song. 
As  the  birds  in  mid-air  ocean, 

Poured  childhood's  plays  among? 

Were  ever  so  bright  the  noondays, 

Were  ever  the  skies  so  blue, 
Or  so  soft  the  slanting  moon-rays, 

As  stole  my  childhood  through  ? 

Was  ever  so  dear  a  mother, 

Or  a  child  so  sweet,  I  pray, 
As  my  blue-eyed  baby-brother, 

In  the  time  so  far  away? 

Was  ever  so  true  boy-lover, — 

O,  ever  such  pictures  bright, 
As  my  child-days,  over  and  over, 

Reflect  by  memory's  light ! 


326  Nelly  and  Ned. 


NELLY  AND  NED. 

"  FM  twelve  years  old  to-day,"  says  Ned, 
"  And  wish  I  were  twelve  more,  sir, — 

And  Nelly  Warner's  almost  twelve, 
So  we'd  be  twenty-four,  sir." 

"  'And  what  of  that ! '     Why,  Nelly  'n'  \ 
Have  always  played  together ; 

And  then  I  draw  her  on  my  sled, 
To  school  in  stormy  weather. 

"  And  all  the  goodies  that  we  get, 
We  share  them  half  and  half,  sir ; 

And  O,  we  have  such  lots  of  fun, 
I'm  sure  'twould  make  you  laugh,  sir^. 

"  Now  Nelly  lives  in  Cottage  Square, 
While  I  live  'round  the  corner, 

And  all  the  boys  would  laugh  and  shout, 
'  Ned  Jarrett  loves  Nell  Warner.' 


328  Nelly  and  Ned. 

"  I  didn't  care  for  this,  y'ou  know, 
But  O,  I  couldn't  bear  it 

When  they  began  to  laugh  at  her, 
And  say,  '  Nell  loves  Ned  Jarrett ! 

"And  so  I  thought  I'd  have  to  fight,- 
And  though  I  was  the  smallest 

Of  all  the  party,  I's.so  mad 
I'd  easy  beat  the  tallest. 

"  But  Nelly  coaxed  and  comforted, 
And  said,  '  Why  would  I  do  it, 

When  they  had  only  told  the  truth, 
And  everybody  knew  it ! '  " 


The  Clamberers. 


329 


THE  CLAMBERERS. 


LL  you  babies 

Perched  in  air, 
Careful  how  you 

Caper  there ! 
Careful  lest  the 

Little  feet 
Or  the  little 

Hands  so  sweet, 
Lose  their  hold 

And  babies  fall,— 
Careful,  careful, 

Babies  all. 


330  The  New   White  Jattet. 

THE  NEW  WHITE  JATTET. 


I  NEVER  seen  Such  naughty  dirls 

As  Susy  Jones  and  Ellen ; 
They  laughed,  O  desht  as  hard's  they  tould 

When  I  twipped  up  and  fell  in 
The  old  toal-hole.     And  see,  mamma, 

1  tore  my  new  white  jattet ; 
And  when  i  twied,  they  laughed  and  laughed, 

And  said,  "O,  what  a  wattet !  " 
The  bid  dirls  tailed  them  most  untind, 

And  said  they  surely  knew  it, 
The  teaching  of  the  Dolden  Wule, 

And  then  how  tould  they  do  it ! 
I  duess  they'd  twy  if  they  was  me, — 

I  duess  they'd  mate  a  wattet, 
If  they  should  fall  in  a  toal-hole, 

And  tear  their  new  white  jattet. 


Remember  The  Poor. 

REMEMBER  THE  POOR. 

"  SWEET,  my  darling,  come  and  see 
What  mamma  has  brought  for  thee ; 
Garments  soft  and  ribbons  bright, 
Hat  and  coat,  a  pretty  sight ; 
Sweet,  my  child,  what  shall  we  do 
With  the  old,  now  you've  the  new?" 

"  Why,  mamma,  this  frock  and  frill, 
These  are  good  and  pretty  still. 
But  as  they  are  quite  too  small, 
Give  them,  please,  to  Lillie  Ball 
In  the  cottage  by  the  hill, 
She'll  be  glad,  I  know  she  will; 
For  mamma,  they're  very  poor, 
And  'tis  cold  to  cross  the  moor 
In  their  tattered  garments  few ; 
Mamma,  may  I  give  the  new?" 

"  No,  my  child,  and  yet  you  may 
Sometimes  give  new  things  away. 
Keep  your  pennies,  and  they'll  be 
Dollars,  by  and  by,  two,  three  ; 
Thus  you  now  and  then  may  have 
Something  new  and  fresh  to  give." 


332 


The  Little  Street-Swe.ffer. 


THE  LITTLE  STREET-SWEEPER. 


LOOK  at  that  little  girl  sweeping  the  crossing  ; 
See  how  the  mud  her  bare  legs  is  embossing! 
And  her  feet  are  so  slippered  with  mud,  that  it  seems 
As  though  from  the  ground  she  grew  up  'mongst  the 

teams ; 

And  why  she's  not  run  over  surely's  a  wonder, 
Standing  there  sweeping,  the  horses'  feet  under. 
See  her  close  curls  and  her  bright,  beaming  eye ; 
Though  fearless,  the  glance,  you  perceive,  is  half  shy, 


The  Little  Street-Sleeper.  333 

As  so  lightly  she  swings  her  wet  broom,  and  so  true,- 
Let  us  cross,  and  we'll  give  her  a  penny  or  two. 


But  wait,  now  a  passer-by  hands  her  a  penny ; 
Just  s^e  her  bright  glance  twinkle  over  to  Benny, 
The  little. hunchback  sitting  there  on  the  curb-stone, 
Close  up  to  the  lamp-post,  that  he  may  disturb  none. 
His  crutches  beside  him  a  sorry  tale  teli ; 
But  see,  he's  a  basket  of  knick-nacks  to  sell ; 
And  a  lady  has  bought  for  her  child  a  toy  whip, 
And  now  from  her  port-monaie  gives  him  the  scrip, 
But  refuses  the  change, — and  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
He  thanks  her  and  blesses,  with  grateful  surprise; — 
And  the  glance  the  boy  now  flashes  over  to  Jenny, 
Is  as  bright  as  she  gave  hirr  when  she  got  the  penny. 
O,  I've  seen  them  so  many  times  !  always  together, 
Always  happy  and  cheery,  in  bright  or  dull  weather; 
For  though  he  makes  the  most  when  it's  fair,  as  they 

show  me, 
Yet  she  does  the  best  when  it's  muddy  and  stormy. 

Watch,  now,  her  quick  smile  of  such  pleased  recog- 
nition : — 

To  win  it  I  oft  come  this  way  on  my  mission. 
But  see,  she  draws  back  as  I  offer  the  penny, 


334  The  Little  Street-Sweeper. 

And  modestly  says,  "  Madam,  please  keep  the  money, 
For  you  know  'tis  a  pleasure  to  me  to  be  sweeping 
The  path  for  you,  lady  ;"  and,  all  the  time  keeping 
Her  broom  just  before  us  to  brush  the  least  speck, 
The  sweet  smiles  in  her  eyes  her  whole  being  be- 
deck. 

So  I  keep  it,  for  she  has  as  good  claim  as  1 
To  the  right  to  do  favors — and  none  will  deny 
That  "  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  receive," 
And  her  sweep  is  far  more  than  my  pennies  to  give. 
But  we'll  stop  and  see  Benny,  and  make  it  up  there, 
For  in  all  that  each  gets  they  will  both  have  a  share. 
A  nice  little  bib  for  my  baby  at  home, — 
A  patent  tape-measure,  a  mother-pearl  comb; 
And  Benny's  pale  face  lightens  up  with  a  glow 
Such  as  angels  rejoice  in ; — now,  Maud,  we  must  go. 
But  to  Benny  :  "  I'm  thinking  to-night  I  may  come 
And  bring  my  friend  with  me,  to  see  your  new  home." 
"  O,  if  you  will ! "  says  the  child  with  delight 
Rippling  over  his  face  like  a  sunbeam — and  quite 
As  joyously,  Jenny :  "O,  madam,  please  do, 
For  we've  something  at  home  that  we  want  to  show 
you ! " 


So  when  'tis  near  night-fall  we  take  the  short  car 


The  Little  Street-Sweeper.  335 

That  off  through  West  Fourth  Street  goes  winding 

afar, 

And  away  to  the  Hudson,  almost,  we  shall  find 
A  lone-seeming  tenement  cuddled  behind 
Huge  heaps  of  fresh  lumber  so  piney  and  sweet, 
While  everything  round  there  is  charmingly  neat. — 
Yes,  the  children  are  home  and  as  gay  as  a  lark, 
While  the  good  mother  greets  us  with  pleasure  ;-but 

hark! 

A  baby-cry  comes  from  the  bedroom  beyond, 
And  Jenny  brings  forth  a  sweet,  sunny-haired  blonde, 
Saying :  "  This  is  the  something  we  wanted  to  show 

you, 
This  two-years-old  baby-girl — why,  does  she  know 

you? 

She  holds  out  her  hands  to  go  to  you  so  soon  ! " 
"  Ah  !  she  feels  we  are  friendly  ; — hear  now  her  soft 

croon. 
But  how  came  she  here,  child  ? "     "  We  found  her 

just  over 

The  lumber-yard  fence,  with  a  board  for  a  cover, 
Wrapped  up  in  a  blanket  marked  Bertha."  "But  why 
Do  you  not  to  the  charity  mission  apply  ?  " 
"  O,  we  want  her  ourselves !     And  the  good  Lord, 

through  you, 


336  The  Little  Street-Sweeper. 

Has  given  us  this  home,  so  what  else  should  we  do, 
Than  to  keep  what  He  sends  ?    And  we're  sure  He 

sent  Berty, 
In  place  of  our  baby  that  died,  little  Myrtie !  " 


And   here  these  poor  people,  so  poor  they  were 

starving 
When  I  found  them  a  few  months  ago,  were  now 

halving 
Their  food  and  their  home  with  this  waif  and  with 

Benny — 

For  he  was  an  orphan  child  left  by  his  granny, 
Who  died  in  an  attic  just  over  their  room, 
In  the  tumble-down  house  they  before-time   called 

home ; 
Though  they've  four  of  their  own,  and  the  eldest  is 

Jenny, 

The  little  street-sweep  who  would  not  take  the  penny, 
Yet  they  say,  "  Benny  seems  quite  as  much  to  belong 

here, 
And  be  one  of  our  children,  as  if  he  were  born  here." 

O,  how  many  rich  homes  where  no  child  is  given, 
Might   be   made,  for  poor  orphans,  an  opening  to 
Heaven ! 


The  Little  Street-Sweeper.  337 

And  how  many,  poorer,  might  seem  to  be  rich, 
With  a  benny  or  Bertha  to  fill  up  the  niche 
That  is  left  'neath  the  hundreds  of  home-roofs  all  over. 
Which  the  Lord   has  designed  some  poor  orphan 

shall  cover; 
For  He  makes   His    home  where  His  children  are 

moored, — 
And  brings  in  His  wealth  where  they  live  by  His 

word  ; 

And  the  meal  and  the  oil  there  shall  never  be  spent  ;- 
What  we  give  to  the  poor,  to  the  Lord  we  have  lent. 
A  baby  to  feed,  is  a  baby  to  love, 
A  child  in  the  house,  "  a  well-spring"  from  above, — 
And  never  forsaken,  and  ne'er  begging  bread, 
Shall  be  those  who  take  care  that  His  lambs  are  well 

fed. 


338       The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family. 


THE   HERE,    THERE   AND   EVERYWHERE 
FAMILY. 


I  AM  always  in  a  buzz, 
Though  I'm  never  in  a  fret, 
But  I'm  ever  with  a  zealot  in  his  zeal; 
I  am  in  the  zephyr-breath, 
Yet  with  zest  have  often  met 
The  zero  mark  that  brings  the  ice-man  weal. 


I've  to  do  with  the  yoke,  but  not  with 

the  ox ; 

I  help  every  priest  in  his  prayer ; 
I  am   new  every  year,   and   :n  four 

months  appear, 
While  I  yield  to  the  yeoman  a  share. 


I  live  in  a  Lexicon, 
I  mark  half  a  score  ; 

I  ride  with  a  Mexican, 
In  Texas,  for  lore, 


The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family. 


I  am  in  every  wing,  yet  I'm  not  in  a  dove; 
I  wait  in  the  swing  to  be  tossed  up  above. 
I  live  in  the  woods,  and  I  perch  on  the 

wall; 
I  am  in  the  wild  waves,  though  I  sail  in 

a  yawl. 


I  am  mingled  with  your  victuals,  yet 

I'm  never  in  your  mouth ; 
I  always  lead  the  van  and  must  for- 
ever stem  the  wave  ; 
I  grow  in  every   gravel  bed,  East, 

West,  or  North,  or  South, 
A.nd  although  I'm  with  the  living,  you   will  find  me 
in  the  grave. 


I  live  in  the  urn,  but  not  in  the  vase, 
I  always  can  run,  but  I  never  can  race. 
I  tumble  and  jump,  but   I  can't  hop 

nor  skip  ; 
I  hide   in   your  mouth,  but  I  ne'er 

touch  your  lip. 


I'm  doubled  up  in  a  patty-pan, 

Yet  I  never  saw  a  pie ; 
\  hide  in  the  boy's  first  pair  of  boots, 

Nor  pass  his  mittens  by. 


34O       The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family. 


I  am  always  in  sadness,  yet  never  know 

grief ; 
Then,  too,  I'm  in  gladness,  which  gives 

me  relief. 
I  know  not  the  ocean,  but  swim  in  the 

sea, 
And  the  stars  and  the  sunshine  were  not,  but  for  me 


I  live  at  both  ends  of  a  river, 
My  home  is  the  center  of  art ; 

I  am  found  in  both  arrows  and  quiver 
Yet  I  quietly  rest  in  your  heart. 


I  lead  the  queen,  yet  never  walk 
Without  you  (u)  at  my  heels ; 

I  laugh  at  every  question  queer, 
And  joy  in  piggy's  squeals. 


I  perch  on  every  pepper-pod, 

I  peer  in  every  place  ; 
I  prance  with  every  palfrey  gay, 

Yet  never  run  nor  n>ce. 


The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family.        341 

Listen,  children,  and  you'll  hear  me  in 

the  cooing  of  the  dove ; 
In  the  lowing  of   the   kine  and  the 

crowing  of  the  cocks; 
I  am  in  your  joy  and  sorrow,  and  I 

come  to  you  in  love, 
And  you  will  find  me  safely  hidden  in  the  middle  of 
your  box. 


I  live  in  the  moon,  yet  I  visit  the  sun, 
I've  twice  blest  the  noon,   and   I've 

twice  kissed  the  nun  ; 
I  was  in  the  beginning,  yes,   double 

and  treble, 
And  wherever's  an  end  I  am  always  in  the  middle. 

I,  too,  live  in  the  moon,  yet  I  ne'er  saw 

the  sun ; 
I  ne'er   blessed  the  noon,  and    I  ne'er 

kissed  a  nun. 
I'm  one  of  the  many,  and  in  at  eaclt 

mess, 
Though  I've  never  a  penny,  I'm  not  in  distress. 


I  sing  in  every  lullaby, 
I'm  out  in  every  squall ; 

I  ring  in  every  shilling  piece, 
And  roll  in  every  ball. 


342         The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family, 

\  am  baked   in  a  cake,  but  I  never  see 

bread, 
I  can  fork  hay,  and  rake,  but  I  can't  lie 

in  bed  ; 
I  can  like,  but  not  love  ;  though  no  doe, 

I'm  with  the  buck; 
I'm  in  kite,  but  not  in  dove  ;  and  I'm  always  in  luck. 

I'm  in  a  baby-jumper,  and  with  joy  I 

laugh  and  sing, 
But  I   quickly  find  myself  shut  up  in 

jail, 
Where  I    pass  my   time  in  jokes,   or 

perhaps  in  conjuring, 
Till  I  lead  the  Judge,  who  says  I'm  "out  on  bail." 


I  live  in  an  Inn,  yet  I  never  taste  beer, 

I  never  smoke,  chew,  or  use  snuff  ; 
I  am  seen  in  high  life,  yet  I'm  true  to 

my  wife, 
And  now  I  have  told  you  enough. 


At  the  door  of  a  hut  I  must  stand,  it  is 
true, 

Yet  of  the  king's  household  I'm  one ; 
I  revel  in  heather  all  wet  with  the  dew, 

And  yet  I  am  never  in  fun. 


The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family.        343 

I  grow  in  grace,  yet  gayety 
Would  have  no  place  except  for  me  ; 
I  greet  the  gardener  with  a  grin, 
E'en  though  I  lie  the  grave  within. 
I'm  with  the  King,  yet  shun  the  Queen  ; 
I  walk  in  grey,  ah  !   yes  in  green ; 
I  gleam  in  gold,  yet  live  in  gloom, 
And  at  a  wedding  kiss  the  groom. 


I  am  in  the  farmer's  field, 
I  am  fresh  in  all  his  fruits ; 

I'm  in  all  his  forests  wide, 
But  I'm  not  in  his  pursuits. 


Twice  told,  I'm  in  Eternity, 
And  yet  I  live  in  time  ; 

I  eat  and  sleep  in  every  place, 
Yet  soar  in  the  sublime. 


I  darken  your  doors  and  your  windows, 

And  if  you  are  deaf,  dumb,  or  blind, 

You   may   know    I   am  always  quite 

ready, 
Your  duds  or  your  dainties  to  find. 


344        The  Here,  There  and  Everywhere  Family. 


Though  I  live  in  the  ocean  so  blue, 
Yet  I  never  am  seen  in  the  sea  ; 

I  can  cast  a  sheet-anchor,  't  is  true, 
And  captains  depend  upon  me. 


I  grow  in  the  bean, 

And  to  beauty  I  lean, 
And   when    buttercups    bloom    I  am 
there  ; 

I  bend  the  boy's  bow, 

And  the  bugle  I  blow, 
Till  I  wake  the  Kamtchatcadale  bear. 


I  lead  out  the  ape,  and  I'm  seen  in  the 

glass ; 
I  hide  in  the  grape,  and  I'm  found  in 

the  grass. 
I  was  there  in  the  garden  when  Adam 

was  made, 

Not  to  help  them  to  sin,  though  I  stood  in  their  shade. 
You  can  not  have  an  apple,  an  orange,  a  pear, 
But  in  each  and  in  all,  I  must  have  my  full  share. 
You  can  not  eat  nor  speak,  nay,  nor  hear,  without  me  ; 
That  I'm  chief  among  my  fellows,  you  all  must  agree. 


Quirks.  345 

QUIRKS. 

A  LITTLE  word  of  letters  five 

That  means  bound  fast  together; 
Transpose  but  two,  and  you  will  find 
A  scattering  yon  and  hither. 

UNITE — UNTIE. 


AND  now  a  word  of  letters  four 
Five  perfect  words  will  make, 

If  you  transpose  and  rightly  place" 
'Tis  true  and  no  mistake. 

LEVI — LIVE — VILE — EVIL — VEIL. 


Now  five  are  found, 

With  spring  and  bound 
A  twist  or  turn  to  take, 

And  ere  we  know, 

All  in  a  row, 
Five  other  words  they  make. 

The  times  are  bad, 

The  items  sad, 
The  mites  must  meet  their  fate ; 

To  smite  the  rock 

Emits  a  shock 
That  hurls  us  from  the  gate. 

TIMES— ITEMS— MITES— SMITE— EMITS. 


Somebody's  Boy. 


SOMEBODY'S  BOY. 

LIST  to  the  ring  of  the  midnight  song! 

'Tis  somebody's  boy ; 
The  winds  give  to  every  wild  echo  a  tongue. 

Yes,  somebody's  boy ; 

The  witch  of  the  revel  has  waved  her  wand 

Over  somebody's  boy ; 
And  the  spirit  of  evil  has  clasped  the  hand 

Of  somebody's  boy. 

Comes  now  a  yell  on  the  midnight  air 

From  somebody's  boy ; 
Reckless,  defiant,  and  devil-may-care, 

Is  somebody's  boy. 

Foul  is  the  bed,  madly  dark  the  dank  cell, 
Where  somebody's  boy 

Is  writhing  in  torture,  the  veriest  hell, — 
Yet,  somebody's  boy. 

Waiting  and  watching,  a  mother's  eyes  weep 

For  somebody's  boy  ; 
1  he  vigil,  dear  Father,  O  help  her  to  keep! 

For  somebody's  boy. 


Somebody's  Boy.  347 

Throw  round  him,  and  over,  thy  Spirit  to  save, — - 

This  somebody's  boy, 
Ere  fiends  for  his  lost  soul  shall  hollow  the  grave 

Of  somebody's  boy. 

Fill  with  thy  Spirit,  too,  our  hearts  we  pray, 

That  somebody's  boy 

We   may   watch    for,   and   snatch   from    the?   death- 
trodden  way, — 

Yes,  somebody's  boy. 


348 


The  Laddie-  and-Lassie  Birds. 


THE  LADDIE-  AND- LASSIE  BIRDS. 


Lvw 


COME  sit  with  me  in  the  green-wood  bower, 
While  I  sing  you  a  song  of  love; — 
Tis  the  song  of  the  birds 
In  the  deep,  wild  woods, 
'Tis  the  song  of  the  sweet  ring-dove. 


The  laddie-bird  says,  "  I  have  come  to  woo ;" — 
And  the  lassie-bird,  "  Ah  !    coo,  coo,  coo,  coo." 


The  Laddie-  and-Lassie  Birds.  349 

The  laddie-bird  says,  "With  a  hope  to  win," — 
And  the  lassie-bird,  "  Coo,  coo,  that  is  no  sin." 


The  laddie-bird  says,  "Together  we'll  dwell," 
And  the  lassie-bird  says,  "In  the  Linden  dell." 


The  laddie-bird  says,  ^And  build  our  nest," 

And  the  lassie-bird  says,  "In  the  tree  to  the  West.' 

The  laddie-bird  says,  "And  raise  our  brood," 
And  the  lassie-bird  says,  "In  the  sweet  solitude." 

The  laddie-bird  says,  "Till  they're  fit  to  fly," 
And  the  lassie-bird,  "Yes,  to  the  blue,  blue  sky." 


The  laddie-bird  says,  "Let  us  hie  away;" — 
And  the  lassie-bird,  "Yes,  and  begin  to-day. 

The  laddie-bird  says,  "I  will  take  this  moss, 
And  the  lassie-bird  says,  "And  I,  this  floss.' 


350 


The  Laddie-  and-Lassie  Birds. 


The  laddie-bird  says, 
"And  we'll  love  so  true 


And  the  lassie-bird, 

"Ah,  yes,  coo,  coo,  coo." 

'Tis  the  old-new  song  that  the 

birds  have  sung, 
Aye,  the  birds  of  every  race, 

Since  the  world  was  planned, 
And  came  forth  from  the  hand 

Of  the  Maker,  aglow  with  grace. 


'Tis  the  song  they  will  sing  till  time  is  o'er, — 
'Tis  the  stream  that  from  Paradise  gushed 


The  Laddie-  and- Lassie  Birds. 


351 


And  the  music  that  flows 
When  the  love-light  glows, 
Will  never,  no,  never  be  hushed. 


352 


Time  and  Eternity. 


US 

"The  great  watchful  I  is  over  US  through  TIME  and  ETERNITY. 


stamped  below. 


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